ENGLISH FA CUP
ENGLISH FA CUP
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It is an annual knockout English tournament in Men’s domestic English football. It is the oldest national football tournament which was played in the year 1871-72. The FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP is more commonly known as the FA CUP. It is named after and is organized by THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. Since 2015, it is known as THE EMIRATES FA CUP, after its’ streamer sponsor. Additionally, the Women's FA Cup is held concurrently. A club can enter the competition if they are eligible, and a club up to Level 10 acts as a stand-in if they cannot. The competition includes various levels as mentioned, some of them are- 20 Professional Clubs in the Premier League (level 1), 72 Professional Football Clubs in the English Football League (level 2-4), and all clubs in step1-5 of the National League System (level 5-9) as well as step-6 acts as a stand-in for the non-entries for the above. It was recorded that 763 clubs participated in 2011-12. The tournament consists of 12 drawn matches followed by the semi-finals and the final match. Winners receive the FA Cup of which they have two designs and five actual cups. Winners also qualify for the UEFA Europa League and get a place in the upcoming FA Community Shield. Arsène Wenger, Arsenal's manager, has won seven finals in his tenure as the club's manager, making him the most successful manager in the competition's history, and his team by winning fourteen titles. Liverpool are the current champions in 2022.
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HISTORY
Laws of the Game of Association Football were published by the newly founded Football Association in 1863, unifying the various rules governing the game before that.... .. A challenge cup should be established in connection with the FA, for which all clubs in the Association should be invited to compete, was suggested by the FA Secretary C. W. Alcock in the offices of The Sportsman newspaper on 20 July 1871. In 1871, the tournament started in
November and the final took place on March 16, 1872, where
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Wanderers were handed over the trophy. Due to world war I and world war II the competition was not played between 1914-1920 and 1938-1946 respectively. As opposed to the old practice of replays, the semi-final, and final matches are now played on the day as opposed to the previous practice of replays. Redevelopment of Wembley saw the final played outside of England for the first time, the 2001–2006 finals being played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. In 2007, the final returned to Wembley, followed by the semi-finals in 2008.
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HOW DO GET ELIGIBLE?
Before entry lists, round byes, and schedules are announced in July, clubs can apply. The top four divisions of the English Football League are automatically eligible. Level 5-9 (non-league football) clubs are also eligible, provided they play the FA Trophy or FA Vase this season. The Association will be able to reject applications if they do not have suitable stadiums. Currently, 732 clubs are participating this year i.e. 2022-2023. As new clubs form and others dissolve at unequal rates, the total number of entries varies naturally from year to year. While it can happen in exceptional circumstances, top teams rarely miss the competition. Manchester was already in the Club World Championship, so they did not defend their title in 1999-2000. Manchester stated that they didn’t want to disrespect the FA Cup but entering both the tournaments may lead to unwanted chaos and would overload their schedule fixtures moreover, it would make it more difficult for the team to defend both the titles i.e. Champions league and premier league titles. As it helped the united and they won the league from 1999-2000 but couldn’t make it to the Club’s World championship. Cardiff City is the only non-English team to win the tournament.
FORMAT
Knockout matches include twelve rounds, the semi-finals, and the finals. Clubs above level 9 enter through a system of byes in the later stages. Clubs coming through level 9 begin competing in the extra preliminary round as well as level 10 teams fill in the vacancies. Teams from level 8 are ranked based on their PPG in the previous year. Newly promoted teams are ranked at the bottom whereas newly relegated teams are placed at the top then teams are divided between entering at extra preliminary or preliminary to ensure the fair completion among the clubs.
DRAWS- Preliminary, extra-preliminary round and first qualification round take place in the same period. Clubs will know their future opponent team if replayed, in well advance. Broadcasting live on television for the each round which usually takes place after the coverage.
Tie Breaking is now generally done through extra time and penalties shoot-out. Earlier it was done by replaying the match at a team’s venue that visited the other team’s venue. If, a match is still tied, it is given extra time and if still necessary, penalty shoots are given.
TROPHY
The winner of the tournament is awarded with the trophy which is handed over to the winning club under current rules i.e trophy shall be returned to the FA Club by march or earlier if seven days' notice is given.
