Bristol Rovers FC is extremely disappointed in the Football Association’s decision to axe FA Cup replays from the 2024/25 season.
Replays have long formed a traditional and exciting aspect of the FA Cup, the longest-serving cup competition in world football, and provide the greatest opportunity for many EFL clubs to create treasured memories for supporters.
Bristol Rovers’ own FA Cup third-round replay at The Memorial Stadium, against Sky Bet Championship side Norwich City, attracted an attendance of over 10,000 fans for a midweek evening fixture in January and provided a valuable and important income for the Club.
We are frustrated and dismayed at the lack of consultation regarding the matter, which has seemingly been the case across the EFL, and stand firm in our belief that such fundamental changes to a competition involving Bristol Rovers should not be made without at the very least including the Club in the discussion.
Rovers, in full solidarity with other EFL teams, now calls on the FA to suspend their decision to make changes to the FA Cup and undertake a full and transparent consultation process with all shareholders.
