LONDON - The English FA will act to amend an old FA Cup
rule so that leading clubs cannot avoid replays if their original
ties end in a draw.
An FA spokesman said on Saturday the law was likely to be
changed after Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was widely
reported by British newspapers to have considered invoking it to
avoid a replay with Tottenham Hotspur if their fourth-round tie
ended in a draw. In the event United won 2-1.
United issued an official statement on their website later on
Saturday denying the club had any intention of invoking the
rule.
"The club has never asked opponents to play extra time instead
of a replay -- and has no intention of ever doing so." Ferguson had
been quoted as saying: "I had never heard of it but it's in the
regulations. The criticism would be that we're not adhering to the
principles of the FA Cup or the spirit of it, but why have the FA
got it in there? We will investigate."
United's statement added: "The manager's comments ... do not
state that he either wished to or intended to invoke the rule... He
made clear he knows the value of replays to clubs."
Ferguson told reporters he had learnt of Article 11a which
allows teams to agree to play for an extra half-an-hour to settle
the match and avoid a replay.