Premier League and FA decision impacts Blackpool, Bolton, Charlton and Wrexham

FA Cup replays will become a thing of the past as Blackpool are faced with another major change from those the govern football.

The FA have announced that from next season there will no longer be replays from the first round onwards. An agreement was reached by the FA and the Premier League and it is a rule that will be in place for six seasons. It has been brought in because of the expansion to UEFA’s club competitions which means more fixtures for the elite clubs.

Replays had been scrapped for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons but returned last season and into the current campaign. This season, the Seasiders played Nottingham Forest in a replay this season in the third round, losing 3-2 after extra time following a 2-2 draw at the City Ground.

Explaining the decision, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "The FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 per cent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future.

"This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.

"The new schedule ensures the magic of the cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game. “The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season.”

As a League One club, Blackpool enter the competition at the first round stage, where they can face teams from their own division, League Two and below. If they were to be promoted they would avoid playing two rounds and would be in the draw with English football’s biggest teams.

Another change to the FA Cup is that all fixtures will be played on the weekend, including the fifth round which for five seasons has been scheduled for midweek. The fourth and fifth round weekends will not have any Premier League fixtures scheduled and for the fourth round, there will be games scheduled from Friday to Wednesday.