Huge changes could be coming to English football

Top officials within English football are planning to discuss potentially huge changes with the sport in the country. Revisions to the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Community Shield will all be discussed. A meeting to work out these potential changes is scheduled for Friday.

The times reports that six leading officials in the Premier League, FA and EFL will be present at the summit. Premier League president Alison Brittain will attend the meeting along with her counterparts Debbie Hewitt (FA) and Rick Parry (EFL). Chief executives Richard Masters (EPL), Mark Bullingham (FA) and Trevor Birch (EFL) will also join.

Changes to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup could reduce player burnout in English football

Potential changes to the FA Cup include ending replays earlier in the competition. The tournament currently has replays up to the fourth round. However, big clubs want to put an end to replays in the third round. This is the stage where Premier League teams enter the competition.

Carabao Cup matches can be set up for even greater customization. One possible step could be to ban clubs currently playing in Europe from the competition. This would obviously affect the country’s biggest teams. Another option could also be to have these teams form U21 squads for the Carabao Cup. The EFL is apparently open to these ideas, but is seeking financial compensation.

This change is in play to reduce player burnout. Both the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup will be expanded in the near future. Massive clubs with international stars already play many matches a year and that will only increase. Changes to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup would address these concerns.

Big clubs want Community Shield moved

Major Premier League teams also want to change the Community Shield. Normally played a week before the top flight kicks off, teams claim it affects their ability to properly prepare for the grueling Premier League campaign. A mid-season game could be in the works for the friendly. Playing the Community Shield abroad is also on the table.

Moving the Community Shield would also free up more time for preseason games. A few months ago, reports surfaced of a possible Premier League pre-season tour of the United States.

Like most things with sports, money is an important factor in these discussions. Lower tier teams have negotiated a $356 million increase in funding from the Premier League. However, top flight teams have only gone up $190 million so far. Friday’s meeting would give the sides a chance to meet halfway.

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