National League BACKS controversial scrapping of FA Cup replays despite money-earning potential for their clubs as they take opposite view to the EFL

The National League have written to their clubs saying they back the abolition of FA Cup replays from the first-round next season, but that they could be retained in the competition’s qualifying rounds. 

In another sign of the growing divisions within the game it is understood that the National League are supporting the stance of the FA and the Premier League to scrap replays in direct opposition to the position taken by the EFL, who were vocal in their condemnation of the move when it was announced last week.

In a letter to the 24 National League clubs chief executive Mark Ives is understood to endorse the controversial decision to abandon replays from the first-round on the grounds that there is insufficient space in the calendar to accommodate them. 

Non-league clubs experience problems with fixture congestion in the same way was those at the elite levels of the game, as many of them compete in a wide variety of cup competitions and suffer more from postponements due to poor weather during the winter.

Ives is also understood to have said that replays could be retained in the qualifying rounds however, with a decision to be taken this summer following talks between the clubs. 

National League club Aldershot Town dumped out League Two Stockport County in a second round replay back in December 

National League Eastleigh took Newport County of League Two to a third round replay 

There are six rounds of qualifying for the FA Cup starting each August before the first-round proper, when League One and Two clubs enter the competition, begins in November.

Ives’ letter is also believed to confirm that the National League have been aware that replays were being abolished for several weeks.