Friday Freebie: Should the Premier League be allowed to dictate FA Cup changes?

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Not so long ago the Friday Freebie featured some proposals sounded out by the Premier League for the FA Cup and it’s future. This week it emerged that  neither the Third nor Fourth Rounds of the competition will feature replays going forwards.

Now correct me if I’m wrong but I thought the FA ran the FA Cup? I don’t see where it says the Premier League anywhere within that title nor have I ever done so what right do 20 clubs have to speak for the voices of over 700? Quite frankly, none whatsoever.

There has long time been the perception that the top flight clubs have too much say within the game be that with rules, regulations, money, TV deals, you name it their fingers are in every pie.

The problem is the amount of greed these club owners now aim for, and when you start to mess around with competitions which affect more than just the core clubs then no wonder you start to hear more than a few gripes from all quarters of the game.

This doesn’t just affect non-league clubs, it’s League 1 and 2 as well. Whilst we know how much of a money-spinner a replay can be for clubs of our levels those lower EFL clubs rely on the cash as well.

If clubs in the Premier League actually took the competition seriously then maybe there might not be such an outcry. A squad game nowadays will be the argument, when they make nine or ten changes to take on Chesterfield or Maidenhead, but when do you see them making the same amount of changes for the league match?

Surely each game is as important as the next regardless of competition? Clearly not in the eyes of those who want more money. You see the FA Cup yields peanuts for the top sides, an expanded Champions League or overseas pre-season trips brings value and wealth.

The amount for winning the cup these days is mere pocket change for these clubs, like the gate receipts they don’t rank high in the grand schemes of making money but the prize means a lot to other clubs.

For the first time I can remember players have really begun to voice their displeasure at the amount of games they play. It’s still miles less than their non-league counterparts however and when owners decide they want their clubs to play less FA Cup games it’s not for player welfare reasons, it’s to move their focus to what can earn them more money, simple.

These players won’t be playing less games, just replace one competition with another and add in extra travelling as well, perfect isn’t it, well it is when the bottomless pit of money never empties.

The message to the players is if you don’t like it, head abroad, earn less and play less, the whole reason most are here is the endless trappings of wealth that they can’t earn across Europe and only now is there a rival in Saudi Arabia and their less than honest little league.

I don’t begrudge them their wealth, the same as I wouldn’t when it comes to the likes of you and I with wages for jobs we do, what I do object to is 20 clubs thinking they speak for each and every football club underneath them, the FA are too lame to speak up and grow a backbone, the lack of direction across the game has to come under their wing, the need for an independent regulator as quick as it can is the only solution I can see to regain from stability where all clubs count at all levels.

It's a game for everyone and when you see the crowds in the 4^th Qualifying Round, followed by the 1^st Round draw which has paired together some delightful ties the magic of the cup is still there but some are hell bent on its destruction, sorry you 20 but I’m sure I’m not the only opinion you will find coming to the fore if you think we’re all going to bow down to you.

Should 20 clubs speak for all of us? Why have they got so much voice yet pay so little attention to the competition? Let me know in the comments below.