FA block Crystal Palace from refusing Macclesfield gate receipt money | OneFootball

Eagles attempted to turn down their share of ticket fees

The FA have contacted Crystal Palace and Macclesfield to prevent the Premier League side from handing over their share of gate receipts to the non-league side.

Gate receipts are generally split 50/50 between clubs in the FA Cup, but ahead of the fixture, Palace offered to let Macclesfield keep the full income.

But Standard Sport understands the FA have stepped in to remind both clubs that, should they make such an agreement, they could be in breach of competition rules.

FA Cup rule 233 reads: “A club must not enter, or attempt to enter, into any agreement with another club under which their obligations under these competition rules regarding the sharing of net gate receipts may be varied or amended.”

Macclesfield stunned FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in the third round

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In years gone by, FA Cup ties against higher-ranked teams had proven lucrative for lower-league sides, but the recent scrapping of replays and drops in ticket prices mean the occasions are not as valuable as they once were.

Exeter City reportedly earned just £180,000 from their 10-1 defeat by Manchester City despite the match being played in front of over 50,000 supporters.

Prize money has increased in recent seasons, though, with teams knocked out in the third round now receiving £26,500. A bonus is also paid to teams whose matches are selected for broadcast.

Speaking after defeating Crystal Palace, Macclesfield owner Robert Smethurst told TalkSport: “We do spend quite a lot because we have huge gate receipts. Within football, unfortunately, the better you do and the higher you move up the leagues, the worse it actually gets financially as an owner.

“This will make the club for the next couple of years, especially with the next draw, if we’re lucky enough to potentially get an away game, especially if it’s a Premier League club — you can be drawing nearly up to a million pounds in funds.”