TRANMERE Rovers have described a decision to scrap FA Cup replays from the first round proper onwards as a "disgrace".

Replays have been abolished as part of a new agreement between the Football Association and the Premier League on the competition’s format and funding.

The agreement also includes the Premier League providing up to an extra £33m per season to support the pyramid, the FA said.

The primary driver has been the pressure placed on the domestic calendar by the expansion of UEFA’s club competitions from next season. 

League Two Tranmere are among the clubs that join the competition at the first round stage with the potential to draw Premier League opposition if they reach the third round. 

Rovers have enjoyed a number of high-profile 'giant-killing' FA Cup ties in their history with famous victories over Premier League West Ham United and Sunderland in 2000, Everton and Southampton in 2014 and Watford in 2020. 

A statement released by Rovers said:  "Tranmere Rovers condemn the disgraceful decision taken by The FA and the Premier League to change the format of the FA Cup, including the scrapping of replays.

"There was no consultation with Football League clubs, National League clubs or grassroots clubs to whom the competition represents not only their best opportunity to create life-long memories for supporters but also a hugely important source of income. We also understand that FA Council members were not consulted about the changes.

"The decision, and the way it was taken, demonstrate a total lack of respect for the football pyramid and its fans. Football belongs to all of us and decisions should not be taken in back room deals in which only the very wealthiest clubs are allowed to participate. It is yet another eloquent example of the 19th-century governance that means that football simply cannot regulate itself and needs the Independent Football Regulator to have real teeth."

Nicola Palios, the vice-chair of Tranmere, added that the FA and the Premier League had reached an agreement “to suit themselves at the expense of the rest of the football pyramid”, and said the new independent regulator would need the power to stop the Premier League “strangling” the lower leagues.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said the changes would strengthen the FA Cup while his Premier League counterpart Richard Masters said the changes had been agreed “without compromising the excitement of knockout football”.