The Football Association may scrap extra time in FA Cup ties next season after seeing non-league Tamworth dumped out by Tottenham in the third round.
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Spurs won 3-0 in extra timeTamworth survived for 90 minutes Ties could go straight to penaltiesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Due to a change in rules in the FA Cup, Tamworth holding Spurs to a 0-0 draw in 90 minutes went unrewarded as extra time was played and Spurs eventually won 3-0. Last season, and all seasons prior, would have seen the non-league club given the chance to play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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Now, reports that the FA are considering a further change that would see extra time scrapped. Ties would instead go straight to penalties, potentially giving minnows more chance of pulling off a cup shock. The EFL did similar with the Carabao Cup in 2019, removing extra time, except for in semi-finals and the final, and instead allowing them to go straight to a shootout. The prospect of reintroducing replays has been completely ruled out due to fixture congestion.
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While Tamworth may feel hard done by, they benefitted from the rule change in an earlier round, as they beat League One side Burton Albion on penalties. The FA will consult clubs on the potential rule change at the end of the season.
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The FA Cup will continue without replays this term. The fourth round draw has been made and is headlined by Liverpool's clash with minnows Plymouth Argyle.