Fans hit out at plans to seed top four WSL clubs in the Women’s FA Cup | OneFootball

Arsenal and Chelsea could become seeded teams in the Women’s FA Cup under proposed changes from the FA (Pedro Soares / SPP)

Football fans across England have slammed plans to introduce seeded teams into the Women’s FA Cup.

What are the proposed FA Cup changes?

A report from the Guardian earlier this week revealed a list of significant changes to the Women’s FA Cup, proposed by the Football Association, including the top four sides in the WSL becoming seeded teams.

The FA have conducted a review of the tournament’s format, although no changes have yet been finalised.

The major proposed FA Cup changes include seeded teams, no draw after the Round of 32, a revised schedule and an entry tier for lower league sides.

In a statement to the Guardian, an FA spokesperson recognised the “need to evolve the competition and strengthen its commercial potential”.

How have fans reacted to the changes?

Fans up and down the football pyramid have reacted with disagreement to the proposed changes.

Manchester City’s MCWFC Official Supporters Group posted a statement on Wednesday, writing: “We as a supporters club, vehemently oppose these ideas.

“We feel that it goes against the very ethos of what the FA Cup represents. The whole idea of being able to draw anyone, home or away, throughout the entire competition gives it a unique ‘magic’ that supporters of all clubs appreciate and embrace.

“Seeding the top four clubs would remove that ‘magic’ and we feel strongly that it should not happen. We believe the integrity of this prestigious competition should be protected.”

Manchester City and Manchester United would have been seeded in this season’s FA Cup under the proposals (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

SheGulls, representing fans of Brighton, added: “The sporting merit in our game is slowly being eroded in favour of ‘super matches’ between elite-level teams.

“The rich will only get richer and teams up and down the pyramid will fade into obscurity with the knowledge that without tens of millions of pounds, they won’t even sniff the big time.”

Fulham Women Supporters Club, whose side play in the fourth tier, said: “[It] goes against all the principles of the FA Cup. I’d like to see WSL teams actually come in a round early.”

The Guardian reported that several lower-league sides said they would oppose the idea as it would reduce their chances of progressing to the latter stages of the tournament.

When could the Women’s FA Cup changes take place?

The Guardian have reported that the changes could come into effect from next season.

However, a consultation process will take place first, including clubs, fans, broadcast and commercial partners.

Meanwhile, there are also changes to the Women’s League Cup from next season. That includes a Swiss-style format and Champions League clubs being left out of the competition.