Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has shared what disappointed him most about Wrexham after the latest update on the FA Cup.
On April 18th, the FA announced an agreement with the Premier League proposing a new format for the FA Cup – news that involves Wrexham.
There will be no more midweek fixtures, and the final will be played the weekend before the last set of Premier League matches.
Most controversially, replays are set to be scrapped from the first round onwards.
This has caused a mass outrage from many EFL clubs and those in the non-league as this agreement was made by the FA without consulting clubs outside of the top flight.
Considering that, including qualifying rounds, a total of 731 teams participated in the FA Cup, speaking to a group that only includes 20 of those sides sparked a mass outrage.
For many grassroots and non-league clubs, FA Cup replays are seen as an invaluable source of revenue that contributes to the running of a football, so to see them scrapped is a huge disappointment.
Darragh MacAnthony says what annoyed him about Wrexham
Wrexham experienced the heartache of an FA Cup replay last season, losing to Sheffield United in the fourth round of the competition.
Phil Parkinson‘s side came close to a giant killing in the first match but John Egan’s 95th-minute equaliser took them to a replay at Bramall Lane, which they lost 3-1.
Despite this defeat, the Welsh side know the magic replays can bring to clubs fighting in the non-league, offering some much-needed respite to their financial problems.
Yet, according to Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony, Wrexham were one of several clubs who ignored the e-mail he sent asking clubs to criticise the decision.
Speaking on the Hard Truth podcast, MacAnthony said: “I did an e-mail to EFL clubs asking them to join us in criticising the decision to scrap FA Cup replays, but Championship clubs have been quiet and it’s disappointing that Wrexham have been quiet.
“If they have said something then I apologise, but I haven’t seen it. I guess their fans will say this is me having another dig at their club, but it’s not.
“I’m usually very positive about them and I’m a big fan of their owners. But this is a club that has made a lot of money from replays on ESPN. I will watch part three of their documentary, but it did amuse me they have been marketing it with the theme tune from Rocky, one of the great underdog movies!”
Disappointing from Wrexham if true
Having come from the doldrums of the National League, a division they spent 15 years in until their promotion last year, it’s disappointing if Wrexham aren’t campaigning against this decision from the FA.
Of course, no one knows whether the Reds are for or against replays, but they should be in the former camp as non-league clubs deserve a shot at a giant-killing.
And having witnessed Maidstone get to the last 16 this season before losing against Coventry City, the magic of the FA Cup certainly isn’t lost, but not reversing this decision does take some of that magic away.
Let’s hope it emerges that Wrexham want to keep FA Cup replays, as even if it doesn’t alter the decision, it still shows they haven’t forgotten their roots.
The post 'It's disappointing': EFL chairman shares what annoyed him about Wrexham after FA Cup controversy appeared first on The Wrexham Insider.
