FA Cup third round in midweek? EFL chief Shaun Harvey believes move would benefit clubs

English Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey believes moving the FA Cup fourth and fifth rounds to midweek would not only aid clubs financially but allow the implementation of a winter break.

Life below the Premier League is in the process of change after the 'Whole Game Solution' was announced in March, aimed at tackling some of the primary issues facing its clubs, along with the wider football world.

The EFL announced on Friday that the revamp would not involve Premier League B teams or clubs currently outside the English system following the first phase of consultation.

Manchester United players spray champagne as they celebrate with the trophy after winning the FA Cup

Image credit: Reuters

The Emirates FA Cup

Conte outsmarted naive Pochettino with the Plan B no one thought he had

24/04/2017 at 14:02

Plans to move from a three-division format to a four-league system remain in consideration, while clubs expressed a preference to play through a winter break, should one be introduced in the English game.

EFL chief executive Harvey says any mid-season break should come after the third round of the FA Cup, while moving the fourth and fifth rounds to midweek being discussed.

"What we are seeking to do is examine the format of league football in this country," he said at the Soccerex Global Convention. "Equally how cup competitions work in partnership with league football.

Shaun Harvey

Image credit: PA Photos

"What we are trying to establish is the format that gives all the relevant parts of the football family the best opportunity of being successful.

"One of the things that we have identified is that playing 46 league games is, in certain circumstances, not an ideal number. Some would say too many.

"Where we have to get to is a balance between the number of games and financial reward.

"We looked very early at how we could influence a very positive need for change for football in this country.

"The reduction in the number of games would seem to be a sensible way forward. That is only to allow a review of the scheduling of games, rather than addressing any element of congestion.

"The second part is what we are trying to do is find out whether these changes could increase centrally distributed funds for our clubs.

"That was one of the conditions we set right from the start. That is achieved by playing more league games at weekends.

"One of the ways of doing that is potentially to play two rounds of the FA Cup in midweek.

"That would allow the opportunity for more weekend games and the additional revenue that can be derived from that."

The Football Association in May announced that sixth-round replays would be scrapped and Harvey admitted "it may well be that replays for four and five may have to go as part of this process".

The Emirates FA Cup

Could Sutton inflict further misery on Wenger in the FA Cup?

17/02/2017 at 16:49

The Emirates FA Cup

Bastian Schweinsteiger makes first start under Jose Mourinho

29/01/2017 at 15:26

The Emirates FA Cup

Walcott treble, Welbeck brace sees Arsenal run riot at Southampton

28/01/2017 at 21:55