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      FA slapped with Community Note as X users rage about ‘untrue’ claims over controversial FA Cup replay change

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      THE FA have received a Community Note on X following a post about their controversial changes to the FA Cup.A series of revisions to the famous old competition were confirmed yesterday, much to the fury of many fans.Major changes to the FA Cup are coming from next seasonCredit: ReutersA post by the FA Cup was Community Noted on XThe changes will see replays scrapped and the final brought forward to before the end of the Premier League season.Announcing the news, the FA Cup’s official X account wrote: “The FA and The @premierleague have reached an agreement to strengthen the #EmiratesFACup format and increase support for grassroots football.”Community Notes are designed to help stop the spread of false information.They come from X users who sign up to write and rate notes.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe note under the FA Cup’s post reads: “To suggest that the revised format ‘strengthens the format’ of the FA Cup is fundamentally untrue.”The decision to remove FA Cup replays deprives lower league clubs of crucial revenue and has been taken without consulting EFL or non-league clubs. The £33m is inadequate.”Plenty of fans shared their fury by replying to the post.One wrote: “Disgraceful decision and you know it.”Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERWhile a second blasted: “You are a disgrace to the sport.”A third fumed: “Disgraceful to drop replays so early in the competition.”Chris Wilder leads furious backlash to FA Cup replays being scrapped as fans urged to protest at ‘ridiculous’ decisionAnd another added: “Where’s the representatives of the EFL or Non-League clubs? There’s not 20 clubs in England.”The changes will be brought in from next season and are set to remain in place for at least six years.Further alterations include moving the fifth round back to a weekend slot.While the Premier League’s January winter break has been scrapped.Changes to prize money – which could involve compensation to lower division clubs for the loss of replay income – have yet to be agreed.But Prem chiefs have allocated a further £133m per season from 2025-26 for the pyramid.Why FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin Lipton
      THE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.
      No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.
      Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.
      If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.
      Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.
      And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.
      Read more on the FA Cup by clicking here. More

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      Chris Wilder leads furious backlash to FA Cup replays being scrapped as fans urged to protest at ‘ridiculous’ decision

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      CHRIS WILDER led a furious backlash after FA Cup replays were scrapped.Yesterday’s deal between the FA and Premier League will end 151 YEARS  of tradition in the world’s oldest cup  competition, starting next season.Already troubled by Prem relegation fears, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is now also upset by FA Cup replays being ditchedCredit: GettyThe FA Cup will see replays disappear from the first-round stageCredit: ReutersMillwall chief Neil Harris slammed the ‘absolutely ridiculous’ decisionCredit: RexBut  it sparked an EFL demand for  compensation, while League Two Tranmere branded it a “disgrace” — and called for fans’ protests and the introduction of an independent football regulator.Sheffield United boss Wilder claimed it was the latest example of the top-flight’s leading clubs overwhelming all opposition.Wilder, who has also bossed Halifax, Oxford and Northampton, said: “The game is dominated and dictated by the big boys — and they don’t want FA Cup replays.“What does that do to non-league clubs who get into the fairytale rounds and the financial implications?READ MORE TOP STORIES“I’ve been at both ends of the scale. The replay is a great reward. I’d have liked them kept.”Wilder’s criticism was echoed by EFL bigwigs and club chiefs.Tranmere’s vice-chair Nicola Palios — the  wife of club chairman and former FA chief executive Mark — claimed the Prem and their boss Richard Masters wanted to ­“strangle” football’s pyramid.That came despite top-flight chiefs agreeing to pay a total of £133m per season to the lower tiers.Most read in FA CupBut angry Palios wrote on X: “The FA and the Premier League have reached an agreement to suit themselves at the expense of the rest of the football pyramid.“Why were EFL clubs not given a say? Why is the Premier League even dictating whether replays are allowed in rounds they don’t participate in? Protest is needed!Huge changes being made to English football schedule next season“Bring on the regulator and make sure it has some teeth before the Premier League strangle the pyramid.”Fuming Accrington chairman Andy Holt also posted his views on social media.He said: “Why would the hapless FA scrap early round replays that can be lucrative  to minnows? Against EFL clubs? I expect nothing less of Richard Masters and Co.”The changes to the FA Cup come in the wake of an expanded Uefa Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup — which both kick in from next season — plus the axing of the Prem’s mid-winter break.The EFL were involved in discussions over the domestic calendar, including the potential end of two-legged Carabao Cup semis.But they pulled out of the talks over the failure of the Prem to agree a new funding deal for the lower divisions.EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said the decision was “frustrating and disappointing” and added: “Our domestic calendar has been put under extreme pressure by the expansion of Uefa competitions.“This represents another lost traditional revenue stream for EFL clubs at a time when the financial gap between the biggest clubs and those further down the pyramid is growing bigger than ever.“We will now be and seeking appropriate compensation arrangements.”Tranmere vice-chair Nicola Palios claims the FA and Prem have ditched replays to ‘suit themselves’ rather than the wider football pyramidCredit: PAAnd Millwall boss Neil Harris stormed: “It is absolutely ridiculous. European football is a joke. It’s all about money!”Under the new agreement, all Cup rounds will return to weekend dates with the final played on the penultimate Saturday of the campaign and not as the season finale.Changes to prize money — which could involve compensation to lower-league clubs for the loss of replay income — have yet to be agreed.The 2024-25 Prem season kicks off a week after the Community Shield, which takes place at Wembley on Saturday, August 10.Niall Couper, chief of the Fair Game football reform group, described the changes as “another nail in the coffin for the already crumbling football pyramid”.But FA chief Mark Bullingham insisted: “The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset. READ MORE SUN STORIES”This agreement ensures the magic of the Cup is protected and enhanced, whilst working for the whole of the English game.”And his Prem counterpart Masters added: “The FA and the Premier League have worked  to deliver more exclusive weekends without compromising the excitement of knockout football.” More

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      Major changes to FA Cup with replays completely SCRAPPED in controversial move but more games on TV

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      FA CUP replays are set to be scrapped in new plans unveiled by the FA.There are several changes to be brought in from next season that will stay in place for at least six years.FA Cup replays are set to be scrapped for every roundCredit: APReplays were scrapped from the fifth round onwards in the 2018/19 campaign.A year later the fifth round was moved to mid-week but the new FA changes mean every round will now be played on the weekend.And there will be no more replays from the first round proper onwards.Another change will see no Premier League games played on the same weekend as the fourth and fifth rounds as well as the quarter-final.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat will make them exclusive FA Cup only weekends as the FA bid to restore the competition’s previous importance.For similar reasons the final will also be played on a Saturday with no Premier League fixtures to take place on the same day.But it will take place on the penultimate day of the season – marking a change from the current set-up.There is also a move to focus on the build-up to the final by forbidding any Prem games being played on the Friday before.Most read in FA CupWhy FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin Lipton

      THE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.
      No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.
      Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.
      If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.
      Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.
      And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.
      Read more on the FA Cup by clicking here.

      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERFurther changes include more TV coverage, with the fourth round including matches played from Saturday – Wednesday to allow for consecutive games of football.And while changes to prize money – which could involve compensation to lower division clubs for the loss of replay income – have yet to be agreed, Prem chiefs have allocated a further £133m per season from 2025-26 for the pyramid.Elsewhere the Prem will also undergo a huge change from next season as the winter break has been scrapped.Fans convinced Scott McTominay shouted X-rated blast at Liverpool fans after Man Utd’s epic FA Cup win More

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      English teams rack up £1MILLION in fines for misbehaviour as Virgil van Dijk slapped with highest punishment

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      ENGLISH clubs have clocked up a shameful £1MILLION in fines for player, manager and official misbehaviour this season.Burnley boss Vincent Kompany’s £10,000 penalty for losing his rag at ref Darren England after Lorenz Assignon’s contentious red card in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea took this term’s fines across the four divisions over the seven-figure mark.The FA have dished out £1million in fines this term, with Virgil van Dijk getting the largest individual sumCredit: ReutersBurnley boss Vincent Kompany became the latest person to be punishedCredit: RexIt was the second successive season in which out of control players and bosses have seen fines spiralling over the £1m mark.Prem clubs have coughed up the most money – £193,500 for manager and coaching staff outbursts and £665,000 for player misconduct.The biggest single fine was the £180,000 levied against Aston Villa for the player bust-up in their win at Brentford, with the Bees ordered to pay £175,000.Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk was hit by the highest individual punishment, when he was fined £100,000 for branding ref John Brooks “an absolute f****** joke” after he was sent off at Newcastle in August.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn total, more than half of the 20 Prem sides – 11 of them – have been hit by FA disciplinary beaks over players, managers or coaching staff members losing control and either abusing officials or confronting opponents.That included the £90,000 punishment for Chelsea and England star Reece James for a tunnel ruck with ref Jarred Gillett after the defeat against Villa he MISSED through injury.But the situation appears to be even worse in League One and League Two.While only eight of the 24 Championship clubs have been fined so far this season, the FA has punished 17 teams in BOTH of the lower two divisions.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERWigan have been the EFL’s bad boys, with FOUR separate fines – three for mass confrontations and one for surrounding an official – adding up to £29,500.And Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens has picked up three fines, totalling £5,900, for losing his temper with officials and opposing players.Top 10 highest paid footballers in the world revealed with no Premier League players making the top fiveAcross the season so far, fines have been paid by 53 of the 92 clubs in the Prem and EFL.It comes after the FA, in tandem with the two leagues, launched a pre-season clampdown.That was a response to last season’s catalogue of carnage which brought fines totalling more than £2m across the four divisions.The FA pledged to enforce tougher sanctions against players and their bosses and while this season’s fine total is large, it does appear the warning had some effect.Fines dished out by FA this seasonPremier League:

      Aston Villa – Failing to control players – £180,000

      Brentford – Failing to control players – £175,000

      Man City – Surrounding referee – £120,000

      Liverpool – Virgil van Dijk – £100,000

      Chelsea – Reece James – £90,000

      Fulham – Manager Marco Silva – £80,000

      Nottingham Forest – Failing to control players and technical area – £75,000

      Sheffield United – Manager Chris Wilder – £11,500

      Burnley – Manager Vincent Kompany – £10,000

      Nottingham Forest – Assistant Steven Reid – £5,000

      Chelsea – Assistant manager Jesus Perez – £4,000

      Luton – Assistant manager Paul Trollope – £4,000

      Wolves – Sporting director Matt Hobbs – £4,000

      Prem total: £858,500

      Championship total fines: £23,000

      League One total fines: £75,200

      League Two total fines: £43,850

      Grand total: £1,000,550 More

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      Cameroon appoint new manager after sacking ex-Liverpool star… but news comes as a shock to the country’s own FA

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      CAMEROON FA chiefs were fuming after the country’s government named Marc Brys as boss.The Belgian, 61, replaced former Liverpool defender Rigobert Song, who was axed in February amid their last-16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations.Cameroon FA chiefs were fuming after the country’s government named Marc Brys as bossCredit: GettyBut not even Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o knew Brys — formerly boss of OH Leuven — had been appointed by the nation’s sports ministry.A statement read: “The Cameroon FA has taken note, at the same time as the Cameroonians, of the appointment.“Fecafoot expresses its great surprise at this act.“This is contrary to the provisions of Decree No 2014/384 of September 2014 on the operation of national football teams.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“This unilateral decision comes at a time when Fecafoot agreed to carry out the instructions of the president of the republic with a view to achieving a reconciliation favourable to our future.“Fecafoot intends to provide clarification on this unfortunate situation.”Song became Cameroon boss in 2022 on the orders of the country’s President, Paul Biya, but his deal finished at the end of February. He led the them to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they beat five-time champions Brazil but were knocked out at the group stage. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEarlier this year, Cameroon were knocked out in the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by eventual finalists Nigeria.Song’s successor last spent three years in Belgian with OH Leuven before being sacked and retiring. Dunfermline reveal exciting plans to host Scotland’s BIGGEST Euro 2024 fanzoneBut he has come out of retirement to accept the job with Cameroon.Brys will now be tasked with qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. More

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      England football Wags to fork out eye-watering sum to hire private bodyguards for Euros after tournament terror threat

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      ENGLAND’S Wags are planning to splash out £100,000 on private bodyguards for the Euros in Germany.The players’ partners want to axe the FA’s security team in favour of their own hand-picked heavies.England Wags, including Sasha Attwood, want to splash out £100,000 on private bodyguards for the Euros in GermanyCredit: GettyBukayo Saka’s partner Tolami Benson has also vowed to up their protectionCredit: World Cup News Pool (WCNP) – England vs SenegalThe group — led by footie tournament veterans Fern Maguire and Megan Pickford — intend to share the cost.Their decision comes after The Sun on Sunday revealed the threat of terror attacks at the Euros is feared by the German government to be high.The Wags, who will also include Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood and Bukayo Saka’s partner Tolami Benson, have vowed to up their protection.They are set to hire ex-military specialists instead of FA-appointed guards.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSA source: said: “The FA security team looked after them at the World Cup in Qatar but this time they want to ramp up the security around them.“They are looking to hire ex-military trained to deal with all sorts of threats.“They’ll operate from a discreet distance so the group don’t draw too much attention. It means they can enjoy more freedom and feel safer at the same time.“Plus, they do not want that their every move is being monitored and then reported back to the FA.”Most read in FootballThe source added: “They’ve been quoted £65,000 for the first few weeks, which will go north of £100,000 if England go all the way.”It could set them on a collision course with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.UEFA Euro 2024: The glamorous life of WAGsHe wants to avoid a repeat of the 2006 World Cup in Germany when the Wags created more headlines off the pitch than the players did on it.Stories of the women partying and huge shopping bills were the talk of the tournament.But the latest crop have vowed to go their own way after lectures from the FA before the previous tournament in strict Muslim state Qatar.England, among the favourites to lift the trophy, kick off their Euros campaign against Serbia on June 16.Sasha Atwood is in a relationship with England winger Jack GrealishCredit: Tim Stewart More

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      Joe Cole hits out at FA’s ‘incompetence’ for role in controversial Nike kit amid ‘woke’ flag backlash

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      JOE COLE has hit out at the FA over the England kit fiasco.Manufacturer Nike and the FA have come under fire for changes made to the St. George’s flag.Joe Cole branded the FA ‘incompetent’ over the flag controversyCredit: RexEngland’s new kit has an adapted St George’s flag on itCredit: EPAInstead of the traditional red Nike created a design with two shades of blue and purple as the horizontal line.Fans and some pundits have reacted with fury, but the FA have stated the kit will not be recalled.Former England player Cole, while working on Channel 4’s coverage of the Three Lions’ clash with Brazil, criticised the FA for incompetence over the flag and slammed the inflated price of the shirts – which cost up to an eye-watering £125.He said: “From a footballing perspective, it’s the last thing that Gareth will want to deal with. I thought he dealt with it unbelievably well.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He talked about the fact we had St George’s flags on the kit before and we haven’t. We’ve always had the Three Lions because that’s what the England football team represents.”I think what’s happened here is some people at Nike have tried to make something artistic connected to it. Someone at the FA… I think a bit of incompetence has come in because you want a lovely kit that’s at a reasonable price. The kit is overpriced at the moment, in my opinion.”Somebody at the FA should have gone, “You know what, that could be perceived as this. Gareth doesn’t need it. The lads don’t need it. Let’s just concentrate on the football”. That hasn’t happened. It’s not a big deal in the scheme of things.”England boss Gareth Southgate had his say on the controversy, suggesting it is not the St. George’s flag.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “If it’s not white with a red cross, it’s not the St George’s flag.“I am a huge patriot. I believe we should celebrate St George’s Day more than we do.Gareth Southgate has his say on change to England kit”People don’t think we should change the flag of St George.“If it’s changed then it isn’t the flag of St George. So I’m a little bit lost with that element of it.“I think they can put a quirky design together but you can’t say it’s the flag of St George because it isn’t. It’s therefore something else.” More

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      FA plot major overhaul to England kit production after furious backlash to new ‘woke’ kit

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      FA CHIEFS are set to change the approval process of future England kits following the furore over the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 strip.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are among those to have condemned the Three Lions’ new home kit.The new England shirt has sparked a huge reactionCredit: AlamyThe altered St George’s Cross has drawn criticism from politiciansCredit: ReutersNike have defended their decision to alter the colours on the St George’s Cross located on the shirt’s collar.But according to the Telegraph, FA chiefs will “overhaul” how England kits are approved in future.They add that the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup kit will face a new vetting process in order to avoid similar controversy in future.An FA statement on Friday reiterated its pride in the red and white St George’s Cross.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt read: “The new England 2024 home kit has a number of design elements which were meant as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup-winning team.”The coloured trim on the cuffs is inspired by the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, and the same colours also feature on the design on the back of the collar.”It is not the first time that different coloured St George’s cross-inspired designs have been used on England shirts.”We are very proud of the red and white St George’s cross – the England flag.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”We understand what it means to our fans, and how it unites and inspires, and it will be displayed prominently at Wembley – as it always is – when England play Brazil.”Meanwhile, PM Sunak said: “When it comes to our national flags, we shouldn’t mess with them because they’re a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they’re perfect as they are.”Keir Starmer blasts hated change to England footie shirt on Sun’s new politics show and demands kits must be cheaperLabour leader Starmer told The Sun’s Harry Cole: “I’m a big football fan, I go to England games, men, women’s games.”And the flag is used by everybody, it’s unifying, it doesn’t need to change.”We just need to be proud of it. So I think they should just reconsider this and change it back.”Asked about the shirt in his press conference ahead of tonight’s clash with Brazil, Gareth Southgate said: “I don’t know if the debate is about the St George flag needing to be on the England shirt because obviously it has not always been.”I think the most important thing that has to be on our shirt is the Three Lions. It’s our iconic symbol.”It’s what distinguishes us from football teams around the world and England rugby and England cricket.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I suppose what you’re really asking is should we be tampering with the cross of St George, in my head if it’s not a red cross and white background then it’s not the cross of St George.”It’s a hard question to answer. It’s presumably some artistic take on [the flag] which I’m not creative enough to understand.”Gareth Southgate gave his verdict on the new kitCredit: Getty More