The F.A. Cup.

[WTF11]

Basically it’s pull the ladder up and stuff the rest by the premier league, the usual money grabbing thing done by a he elite, I often wonder why we all clamber to join the awful league.

Money.

[norfolk white]

Oh yes, money, the root of all evil.

[Rev72]

Football , Cricket , Boxing etc etc all selling the souls of the sport for money...looks like Snooker could be the next!

Pure greed and the powers that control the sports don't seem to particularly care who gives them it either!

[Rev72]

Disappointing decision.

Not the point of the competition. In fact, the total opposite.

Shouldn’t be playing the semifinals at Wembley either.

Agreed.

Always thought playing the semi's at Wembley spoiled the main event somewhat.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Seems like none of you have got ‘down with the kids’ 🤣

[bathlad61]

Shocking, narrow minded decision, as been said, for some lower & non league teams, a good cup run with reply back at their place, then maybe getting one of the big boys in Rd 3, possibly keeps the club solvent for another 2-3 yrs.
Thought the whole thing about the FA Cup, was the " unknown " and what could be, rather than the cash dominance of the Prem.

[spaldy]

Embarrassing for the FA.

They are corrupt and shameless but showing your asz this brazenly is bad for the sport

[WTF11]

Shocking, narrow minded decision, as been said, for some lower & non league teams, a good cup run with reply back at their place, then maybe getting one of the big boys in Rd 3, possibly keeps the club solvent for another 2-3 yrs.
Thought the whole thing about the FA Cup, was the " unknown " and what could be, rather than the cash dominance of the Prem.

Used to be, not any more.

[Monaco_Totty]

I fully understand what's being said by all but rather ironic as my love to progress in the FA Cup on here has always been met by folks insisting play the kids as promotion or staying up is more important & even we must avoid injuries & money in promotion or staying up is more important too has been uttered - has it not ?

Would just add that the expense of following the team play is no joke either nowadays to consider when replays are needed.

So lots to consider for sure & teams do have the option to give up home advantage if they desire more cash too.

Fact is the average football supporter is spending 13% of their salary to follow their team.

The report by Creditfix has revealed the average Premier League supporter is spending over £3,000 per season, up to 13% of their annual salary, to follow their team !

Creditfix compiled six common football expenses for each club for the season.
1. the minimum cost of an adult season ticket.
2. relevant TV subscriptions.
3. cost of replica shirts.
4. match programmes.
5. away tickets.
6. the cost of away train travel.

The total cost was then compared to ONS regional salary data to work out how much is being spent of supporters annual salary. Newcastle topped the table as the average fan can be expected to fork out £4,243.48 for the season, a huge 13% of their annual salary !

A key contributor to this enormous cost is the staggering travel bill for away games of £3,751.60, with fans having to travel more than 4,000 miles over the course of the season. The Geordies were followed in second place by AFC Bournemouth.

Premier League new boys Luton Town also ranked highly as one of the most expensive clubs in the league to support, with a total cost of £3,900.38.

Mmm, following football sure aint the same anymore 'tho, sadly.😩

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Football and the world has changed massively so little surprise the FA Cup isn’t necessarily as relevant.

When a lot on here were younger, there were fewer clubs in European competitions and TV screening was on only 2 of the 4 channels available and the in a limited way.

The world was also a lot ‘slower’.

With the advent of streaming, the internet and different digital platforms through which you can watch content and gen Z wanting more immediacy to things itt shouldn’t really be a surprise.

The death bell for the FA Cup began to sound when Man U were allowed to skip it back in the late 90s and signified it wasn’t treated as seriously.