After games were postponed following the death of the Queen, the FA Cup replays in the third and fourth round may be eliminated in an effort to alleviate the fixture backlog. Premier League games were postponed last weekend as a show of respect for the late monarch.

But rescheduling the abandoned fixtures will be a difficult task for Prem chiefs now.

There may no longer be FA Cup replays in the third or fourth round.

Replays in the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup may no longer be necessary.
Replays in the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup may no longer be necessary.

This season, FA Cup third and fourth round replays might not be held as clubs try to make up for games that were postponed after the passing of the Queen.

Replays were abandoned in each of the previous two seasons, and this is currently one option being considered to address the backlog of fixtures.
The Premier League schedule was canceled last weekend out of respect, and this coming Sunday, two more high-profile games at Chelsea and Manchester United have also been postponed.

 

Due to the World Cup in Qatar’s interruption of the season, it leaves clubs facing a potential fixture pile-up later in the year.

Over the course of the weekend, there will be seven top-flight games, with Brighton vs. Crystal Palace being the only one not played because of anticipated rail strikes.

The three games had to be postponed, according to a statement from the Premier League. “Following extensive consultation with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups and other relevant authorities, there was no other option,” the statement read.

After Queen Elizabeth passed away last weekend, Premier League football was suspended.

Rearranging the 10 games that were postponed presents a difficult challenge for English top-flight officials.
The UK Football Policing Unit, other national police forces, our broadcast partners, and the Premier League would like to express their gratitude for their assistance during this process. The Premier League will keep in contact with all of these groups in the lead-up to the weekend.
‘Tributes to the Queen will be paid at Premier League stadiums for the games played during the period of national mourning.’
In due course, new dates for the postponed games will be announced.

 

Additionally, the kickoff times for two of Sunday’s games have been changed: Brentford vs. Arsenal will now begin at noon instead of 2pm, and Everton vs. West Ham will now begin at 2.15pm.

Arsenal and PSV’s Europa League matchup on Thursday has been postponed due to a shortage of police officers in London ahead of the Queen’s funeral on September 19.
There are only three midweek slots left before the season is over, but Chelsea’s Champions League match against Red Bull Salzburg will still take place as scheduled, and the midweek EFL schedule will not be impacted.

Due to “severe limitations on police resources and organizational issues,” Rangers’ Champions League match against Napoli in Scotland has been postponed one day to Wednesday, September 14.

The Scottish Football Association announced on Monday that the nation’s professional domestic football season will resume this weekend. All of its competitions can resume on Tuesday, according to the Football Association of Wales.
With clubs preparing to honor the Queen, all EFL games scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to go on as scheduled.

Recommended