Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta facing FA Cup revolt – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed fans of lower-league sides will revolt against the FA Cup changes by coming out to support the competition next season.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested a “boycott” won’t take place despite huge calls from smaller sides.
The FA announced last week (18 April) that FA Cup replays will be scrapped from the first round onwards from the 2024-25 season.
In an unpopular move, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has come out in support of the move – claiming it is necessary to “protect our players”.
Meanwhile, Accrington chairman Andy Holt has claimed he would back a boycott of the competition if enough clubs felt the same.
Wyness: FA Cup replay revolt coming after Arsenal boss Arteta speaks out
Wyness insisted fans will revolt against Arteta and Premier League clubs by ensuring support for the FA Cup is stronger than ever.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think there will be a lot of talk of a boycott before the FA Cup starts next season.
“I don’t think it will come to that. If anything, I think fans will come out in support of the competition and bring more demand to the FA Cup.
“We saw Man United vs Coventry at the weekend, which was an amazing semi-final. You couldn’t have had a better advert for the competition.
“The Coventry fans had a great day out. The FA Cup is alive and well, and I can probably remember more cup games in my lifetime than Premier League battles.
“It’s still an important asset to sell internationally.
“The pressure has to be handled somehow, but there should have been a few compromises to ensure that everyone’s a winner.”
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