Millwall chief Steve Kavanagh accuses FA of 'disgusting' deflection amid FA Cup replay backlash

Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh has come out swinging against the FA, accusing them of passing the buck in the recent uproar over the decision to scrap FA Cup replays. As a key figure on the Professional Game Board (PGB) and vice chairman of the FA Cup committee, Kavanagh has denied that either of those bodies signed off on the major changes to the FA Cup.

The controversy erupted following the FA's announcement of significant changes to the beloved FA Cup, including the elimination of replays, as part of a new agreement with the Premier League. The move sparked immediate criticism from clubs and supporters alike, though sparked claims that Millwall chief Kavanagh and his fellow EFL board members on the PGB had also given their approval.

However, Kavanagh has vehemently denied having any input and has criticised the FA for trying to shift the blame onto others. Speaking to Mirror Football, he expressed his frustration, saying: «The first I knew of this announcement was when people were sat around the table [yesterday].»

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«The FA statement is very clear: this is an agreement between the FA and the English Premier League. This has nothing to do with the EFL. We're not party to that agreement and we've not been included in that agreement. We've not been consulted and in fact, I've got no idea what's in that agreement. This is the FA doing a deal with the Premier League, and that's their right, however, it does have impacts on the rest of the pyramid.

»The FA have now done that deal without agreeing any compensation for EFL clubs. For a faceless