West Ham are still awaiting the re-scheduling of their Watford and Manchester United Premier league matches due to our FA Cup run.
UEFA’s rules are making life difficult with their insistence that domestic games including FA Cup games do not clash on nights that Champions League football is shown on TV.
With a congested fixture schedule for the remainder of the season, there are few dates that West Ham will be able to play Watford and Manchester United whilst still avoiding international breaks, Champions League nights and Manchester United’s continued progress in the Europa League last 16.
Yesterday, the FA announced the replay between Arsenal v Hull will take place on Tuesday 8th March after 72 hours of debate and argument.
The FA released a statement saying:
“In-depth and exhaustive discussions have taken place over the last 72 hours with all associated parties to determine the scheduling of this fixture and The FA recognises that this is not an ideal solution for everyone. However, it does strengthen the case for footballing bodies to work closely together in a positive, collaborative way to resolve the overcrowded and untenable fixture schedule.”
FA chief executive Martin Glenn added: “We want all of our clubs to be part of strong, vibrant domestic competitions, to perform well on the European stage and for the England team to be challenging for international honours.”
“To have a better chance of achieving these aims more effectively, it is imperative we resolve the on-going problem of match scheduling together. We would like to thank UEFA for taking the time it has to understand our position on this matter.
“Fixture scheduling is an issue for the whole game so let’s build upon the productive conversations we have held with the Premier League and Football League and call upon UEFA to join the discussion to create clear, workable guidelines for the benefit of all.
“This will help our teams in the pursuit for trophies; enable fans to fully enjoy and access all the matches their teams participate in and allow broadcast partners to maximise the TV rights they have purchased. It is recognised that this match will be partially played when UEFA have a scheduled programme of European fixtures and if there were any suitable alternatives, The FA would have warmly accepted these.”
Would it not be concievable that Premiership teams do NOT compete at all in the Capital One Cup, which so many of them do not respect anyway looking at the teams they put out.
All other major leagues around the world only have one domestic Cup competition.
The Capital One Cup could be competed for by ONLY Championship teams with a very large Financial package for the Winners for example , to help eleviate any financial pressures a Club may have. This would ensure that the competing teams put out their best sides.
Drop the Johnstone Paint Trophy from the calendar and then ALL teams will benefit from a not so conjested fixture list and maybe the fans will then appreciate the Capital One Cup more and turn up to support their teams.
WIN WIN all round.
Nice idea, it’s just that the C1 Cup fixtures are played earlier in the season but it’s around this time that fixtures start piling up due to the FA Cup & European competitions. These International breaks need to be looked at, two in two weeks is ridiculous.