Kieran Maguire

Tue 23 April 2024 18:00, UK

Liverpool fans are ’embarrassed’ about the decision made to scrap FA Cup replays from next season onwards.

That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that supporters still have respect for the structure of the FA Cup but the decision was driven by the interest of “hedge fund managers and billionaires”.

It was revealed on Thursday (18 April) that FA Cup replays will be scrapped from the first round onwards starting in the 2024/25 season.

The decision was met with criticism after it was revealed that the EFL was not involved in the final decision to scrap replays.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has previously called for replays to be scrapped, with Premier League teams now allowed a longer summer break as a result of the format change.

Liverpool fans are ’embarrassed’ by FA Cup bombshell

Maguire believes the decision was driven by the interests of the ‘Big Six’ in the Premier League so that they can fit more games into their schedule from Fifa and Uefa competitions.

“The decision has been driven by the interest of the Super League six,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.

“They want more time for preseason tours and to be able to squeeze in more fixtures for the Fifa Club World Cup and the expanded Champions League format.

“The disconnect between hedge fund managers, billionaires and grassroots football is just going to expand.

“The fans of the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham are embarrassed by this.

“They may not particularly want an away match at Bristol City but at the same time some will view it as a chance to go to a new ground and many still love the FA Cup for that.

“So this decision shows the arrogance of the Premier League.“

In other news, Arsenal and Man City fans make Liverpool Premier League title confession after win

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