Will FA Cup games go to replays or extra time if scores are level?

In: Sport

THE FA Cup third round has finally arrived, months after last season’s final where Leicester beat Chelsea 1-0. 

But what happens if matches are drawn, will there be a replay to decides who gets to the next round?

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Some rounds of the FA Cup continue to use replays to decide tiesCredit: PA:Press Association

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The FA Cup replay rules have changed extensively in recent years and 2021-22 is no different, especially due to the Coronavirus pandemic, starting with the third round fixtures.

Will FA Cup games go to replays or extra-time and penalties?

The FA Cup will not go to replays this season to help fixture congestion caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Replays were first scrapped from the quarter-finals onward in 2016.

And then last season they were scrapped completely due to Covid-19.

Because of the fixture build-up caused by the pandemic this term, replays from the third round onwards have been ditched again.

Games which end in a draw will now be settled by 30 minutes of extra-time and a penalty shootout if necessary.

Which FA Cup rounds have replays and which go to extra time?

  • Third round – Extra time and penalties (Since 2020/21)
  • Fourth round – Extra time and penalties  (Since 2020/21)
  • Fifth round – Extra time and penalties (Since 2018/19)
  • Quarter-final – Extra time and penalties (Since 2016/17)
  • Semi-final – Extra time and penalties (Since 1999/00)
  • Final – Extra time and penalties (Since 1993/94)