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The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly referred to as the FA Cup, is an annual knockout football tournament in England. The oldest football competition in the world, the FA Cup has rules as significant as its history. It is also one of the most prestigious domestic cup competitions in football.
The history of the FA Cup dates back to 1871, when Charles Alcock, the Secretary of the Football Association, proposed a tournament to promote the game of football. The first FA Cup competition was held in the 1871-1872 season, and it was won by Wanderers Football Club. The early years of the competition were dominated by amateur teams, with many of the early winners being private school or university teams.
Over time, the competition has grown in popularity, and today, it involves professional teams from all levels of the English football league system. The competition has also expanded to include teams from Wales, with Cardiff City becoming the first non-English team to win the tournament in 1927.
The FA Cup is open to any team that plays in the English football league system, including teams from the Premier League, the Football League, and the National League. The competition begins with the qualifying rounds, in which non-league teams compete for a place in the first round proper. The first round proper involves the teams from the Football League and the National League, with the Premier League teams entering in the third round.
FA Cup Rules
The FA Cup, as a football tournament, follows the standard rules of association football established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). This includes regulations in terms of the size of the field, the number of players on each team, and the duration of the match. The IFAB is responsible for setting these rules, which are followed by all professional football leagues and tournaments around the world. However, some specific rules apply to the FA Cup, which we will outline below:
Eligibility for the FA Cup
Any club that is a member of the English Football League system can participate in the FA Cup. This includes clubs from the Premier League, the English Football League (EFL), the National League, and any lower leagues.
FA Cup Schedule
The tournament takes place over several rounds, beginning in August and concluding with the final in May. The exact dates of each round are determined by the Football Association (FA).
Tournament Format
In the FA Cup, teams only play 1 game in each round as it’s a single-elimination tournament. If the match culminates in a draw, a replay is scheduled, with the team drawn as the away team in the first match playing at home. If the replay also ends in a draw, extra time is played, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary. The winners of each round progress to the next round, with the semi-finals and final being played at Wembley Stadium. The semi-finals are played over one leg, with the winners progressing to the final. The final is played over one leg, and it is usually held at the end of May or early June.
Substitutions During Games
Up to five substitutes can be named for each game, and a team is allowed to make three substitutions during a match. If the match goes into extra time, an additional substitute can be made.
Video Assistant Referees (VAR)
The use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) was introduced in the FA Cup in the 2018-19 season. VAR is used to review goals, penalties, red cards, and cases of mistaken identity.
Yellow and Red Cards
The standard rules regarding yellow and red cards apply in the FA Cup. Players who receive two yellow cards in the tournament are suspended for the following match, while players who are given a straight red card are suspended for one match.
FA Cup Prize Money
Each round of the FA Cup has its own prize money, which is distributed among the participating clubs. The prize money increases with each round, with the winners of the final receiving the largest share of the total prize money.
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup final is held at Wembley Stadium and is played over one match. If the match ends in a draw, extra time is played, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary.
In addition to these specific rules, the FA Cup also follows the standard rules of association football in terms of the size of the field, the number of players on each team, and the duration of the match. The IFAB is responsible for setting these rules, which are followed by all professional football leagues and tournaments around the world.
FA Cup Moments
The FA Cup has been won by a wide range of teams over the years, with Arsenal holding the record for the most victories with 14 titles. Other successful teams include Manchester United with 12 titles, Chelsea with 8 titles, and Tottenham Hotspur with 8 titles.
The ‘magic of the FA cup’ has also become football legend in England, where smaller teams get the chance to take on the big guns. The cup has a long history of ‘giant-killing’, where lower league teams have managed to knock out teams from higher leagues. Read our previous blog to find out more about this FA Cup magic.
In addition to the thrill of the giant-killing, the FA Cup has also been known for its memorable moments. From the “greatest ever FA Cup goal” scored by Ryan Giggs in the 1999 semi-final to Steven Gerrard’s last-minute equaliser in the 2006 final, the FA Cup has produced some unforgettable moments.
Credit: England Football
In conclusion, the FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world, and it remains one of the most prestigious domestic cup competitions in football. It is a single-elimination tournament that is open to teams from all levels of the English football league system, and it is known for its giant-killing and memorable moments. Despite being over 150 years old, the competition continues to captivate football fans around the world, and it remains an important part of English football culture.
