The FA Cup is the oldest and most prestigious domestic cup competition in the world.
Established in 1871, it has been a pillar of English football for over 150 years, delivering some of the greatest moments in the sport’s history. It is a competition that has always been about romance, giant killings, and the magic of the underdog. Yet in recent years, the tournament has been treated with increasing disdain by the country’s biggest clubs—something that should not be allowed to continue without consequence.
The Decline in Respect Started with Manchester United’s Withdrawal
While the FA Cup’s status has declined over time, one of the first major signs of disrespect came in 2000 when Manchester United withdrew from the competition entirely. Instead of defending the trophy they had won the previous season, they withdrew from the tournament to take part in the FIFA Club World Championship in Brazil. Their decision, backed by the FA at the time, sent a dangerous message—that the cup was no longer a priority for England’s biggest clubs.
Since then, the pattern has continued. Premier League sides regularly field weakened teams, showing little interest in progressing. For many top clubs, the FA Cup is now seen as an inconvenience, rather than the prestigious competition it once was.
Klopp and the Shrewsbury Controversy
Perhaps no single incident encapsulates this attitude more than when Jurgen Klopp refused to attend Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against Shrewsbury Town in 2020. Not only did he rest his senior players, but he didn’t even bother to take charge of the game, instead sending his under-23s coach to oversee the fixture.
This was an FA Cup match—one of the most historic competitions in football—not a meaningless friendly. By refusing to give it the attention and respect it deserved, Klopp reinforced the belief that the competition is second-rate.
For clubs like Shrewsbury, playing a side like Liverpool is a rare opportunity, both financially and in terms of exposure. Yet their big night was devalued because the opposition couldn’t be bothered to take the game seriously.
Scrapping Replays is an Insult to Smaller Clubs
One of the biggest injustices to lower-league clubs in recent years has been the abolition of FA Cup replays from the fifth round onwards.
Replays have long been part of what makes the FA Cup special. They give smaller teams a second chance at glory, and for many non-league and lower-league clubs, they can be a financial lifeline. A lower-division side earning a replay away at a Premier League stadium can bring in a massive windfall, helping to secure their future for years to come.
Big clubs have complained that replays are a burden on their schedules, but this is simply an excuse. These are the same clubs who happily jet off on mid-season friendlies to boost their global brand. If they can find time for those, they can certainly handle an extra FA Cup fixture.
A Rule Change: Big Clubs Must Play Eight First-Team Players
If the biggest clubs refuse to take the competition seriously, then they should be forced to do so by the rules. One simple solution would be a requirement that all clubs name at least eight regular first-team players in their starting XI for FA Cup matches.
This would ensure that the competition remains a genuine contest, rather than a run-out for academy players. It would also show respect to the lower-league clubs who dream of drawing a Premier League giant. These teams don’t want to play against a reserve side—they want the challenge of facing full-strength opposition, with the chance of causing a real upset.
Forcing top clubs to field strong teams would restore some of the FA Cup’s prestige and remind everyone that it is still a competition worth winning.
The FA Cup is a Lifeline for Lower-League Clubs
For clubs outside the Premier League, the FA Cup isn’t just about glory—it’s about survival. A good cup run can provide vital funds, allowing clubs to improve facilities, sign better players, or secure their long-term future.
One of the best recent examples of this is Lincoln City’s incredible run to the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2017. As a National League side, they became the first non-league team in over a century to reach the last eight, beating Ipswich, Brighton, and Burnley along the way. The money generated from their cup success allowed them to build a squad capable of winning promotion, and within a few years, they had climbed from non-league football to League One.
Without the FA Cup, Lincoln might never have had that opportunity. Taking the competition seriously is about more than just tradition—it’s about ensuring the health of English football from top to bottom.
Conclusion: Respect the Cup or Face Consequences
The FA Cup is an essential part of English football’s identity, but it is being undermined by the very clubs who should be upholding its legacy. The biggest sides are treating the competition with contempt, and unless something changes, it will continue to lose its prestige.
Football is nothing without its traditions, and the FA Cup remains one of the greatest. It’s time the big clubs started respecting it again—because if they don’t, they shouldn’t be allowed to compete in it at all.
