Fourth sub to be allowed in latter stages of the FA Cup

, 27 July, 3comments | Jump to most recent

Teams will be permitted to introduce a fourth substitute during extra time from the quarter-final stage of the FA Cup onwards starting this coming season.

The move is still subject to review by International Football Association Board but if ratified, it is designed to provide teams with an additional set of fresh legs if matches are still level after the regulation 90 minutes are up.

The FA Cup Final and semi-finals have been decided on the day for a few years now but the Football Association has now scrapped replays for Sixth Round games as well in an effort to reduce fixture congestion in the later stages of the season.

By allowing a fourth sub, the FA hope to improve the quality of play in extra time which can suffer as players tire and tactics tend to err towards keeping things level and gambling on a penalty shootout rather than changing things up in an effort to win the match.

Reader Comments (3)

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Clive Rogers
1 Posted 27/07/2016 at 20:17:05

If we don't sign someone soon we won't have enough players.

Peter Mills
2 Posted 27/07/2016 at 22:36:21

Sounds like something which will benefit the wealthier teams with better players on the bench. How unusual.

John Codling
3 Posted 28/07/2016 at 07:36:15

Why stop there? Why not do away with extra time and go straight to penalties? Today's players are fucked after 90 minutes exertion so why not start reducing team numbers from the start of the 2nd half to a minimum of 7-a-side, that will ensure an early result.

One good thing about doing that is that Northern fans will be able to get a train home from London, unless of course the TV companies come up with a new plan. I have one: Wembley for quarter finals, they have to pay for that fucking white elephant somehow.

The FA have demeaned this once great competition to the extent that fans no longer give a fuck, it has taken on the role of a Capital cup.

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