Women’s FA Cup revamp on hold after ‘ridiculous idea’ criticism

Plans to change the format of the Women’s FA Cup, which would have seen four sides seeded and pathways to Wembley mapped out from the last 32 onwards, will not be introduced next season.

The proposals, first reported by the Guardian this month, would prevent the top four sides from the previous season’s Women’s Super League (WSL) meeting until the semi-finals and end the use of draws from the fourth round onwards.

The FA had claimed it would create “high chances of consistent high-quality matches throughout the later rounds” and “strengthen commercial potential”.

But several official supporters’ clubs warned the steps would ruin the “magic” of the competition and see the biggest clubs “only get richer”.

An FA statement said: “We understand how much the competition means to clubs, players and fans across the pyramid, and it is important that all parties have enough time to share their views.

SheGulls, representing fans of WSL club Brighton & Hove Albion, had suggested seeding “elite level teams” would only widen the gulf in quality across the game.

“The sporting merit in our game is slowly being eroded in favour of ‘super matches’ between elite level teams,” the fan group wrote on X.

“The rich will only get richer and teams up and down the pyramid will fade into obscurity with the knowledge that without tens of millions of pounds, they won’t even sniff the big time.”

Fulham Women Supporters’ Club, whose side play in the fourth tier, labelled it a “ridiculous idea” and added: “[It] goes against all the principles of the FA Cup. I’d like to see WSL teams actually come in a round early.”

“And there goes the magic of the FA Cup! Subway Cup [League Cup] is a farce, now this?” added Everton Women’s Official Supporters Club.

“All about the money. Didn’t take long to ruin the women’s game too did it…”

The Women’s FA Cup currently follows the same format as the men’s competition, with a draw following each round.

There is a preliminary round and three qualifying rounds featuring teams from tiers four to seven of the pyramid, with Women’s National League teams entering in the first-round proper, WSL2 teams in the third round and sides from the top division a round later.