Clubs Accepted to the Emirates FA Cup for 2021-22

To: Clubs accepted into The Emirates FA Cup for the 2021-22 Season

Please find attached the Competition Rules in respect of The Emirates FA Cup for the 2021-22 season (“Competition”). Clubs are encouraged to read the Competition Rules in full ahead of participating in the Competition.

For the avoidance of doubt, in accordance with Rule 1(c), by participating in the Competition clubs and players will be bound by the Competition Rules.

A. Risks to the Competition – COVID-19

COVID-19 continues to create uncertainty for both football and society at large and The FA is not able to predict the impact that COVID-19 may have on the Competition in the 2021-22 season.

However, The FA has identified the following potential impacts upon the Competition (as at the date of this note):

1. The guidance and/or legislation issued by the Government, Public Health England (or any replacement body) (“PHE”) may change, and the Competition may have to adapt to any such guidance where required. 2. Clubs may not be able fulfil fixtures on the basis that a significant number of their players have tested positive for (or are displaying symptoms of) COVID-19. 3. Given the continued uncertainty regarding COVID-19, it may be necessary to amend the Competition Rules and the schedule of the Competition mid-season. The FA has therefore retained many of the Competition Rules introduced or amended ahead of the 2020/21 season which sought to address and mitigate some of the potential issues arising from COVID- 19.

Notwithstanding this, The FA is committed, where appropriate, to reverting to the format of Competition that was in place prior to COVID-19 and has taken careful first steps towards this goal ahead of the 2021-22 season whilst seeking to ensure that appropriate contingency plans remain in place in order to navigate any issues arising from COVID-19 during the season.

B. Summary of Key Changes to the Competition Rules

1. Reintroduction of Replays

Replays have been reintroduced prior to the Fifth Round of the Competition Proper. Therefore, any first match prior to the Fifth Round of the Competition Proper which is drawn will now be replayed on the ground of the Club drawn second in the tie, and replayed matches which are drawn after 90 minutes will go to extra-time and penalties (as applicable) (see Competition Rule 11(a)).

2. Qualifying Competition – Match Windows In order mitigate any COVID-19 related impact to the schedule of the Competition, particularly as a result of the reintroduction of replays which may lead to a greater number of matches being played, a system of ‘windows’ has been introduced in respect of the Qualifying Competition to manage the scheduling of replays and the possibility of postponements of first matches and replayed matches due to reasons related to COVID-19 (see Competition Rule 11(b) to 11(g)).

In summary, there will be three consecutive ‘windows’ for playing matches in each round of the Qualifying Competition, and only certain matches may be played in each ‘window’ as follows:

Window Matches Relevant Competition Rule (Dates) • First matches only Competition Rule 11(b) First Window (Friday-Sunday)

• A postponed first match Competition Rule 11(c) originally scheduled to be Second Window played in the First Window. (Monday-Thursday immediately • A replay of a first match Competition Rule 11(d) following First Window) played and drawn in the First Window. • A replay of a first match Competition Rule 11(e) played and drawn in the Third Window Second Window. (Monday-Thursday immediately • A postponed replay Competition Rule 11(f) following Second Window) originally scheduled to be played in the Second Window.

Whether or not a match may be postponed for COVID-19 related reasons will be determined by The Association with reference to any applicable policy in force from time to time. For the avoidance of doubt, references to postponed matches in the table above (and in the Competition Rules) are to those matches postponed for reasons related to COVID-19 or any other reason that leads to the match being postponed.

The aim of the system of ‘windows’ is to ensure insofar as possible that all ties within the Qualifying Competition are settled on the pitch.

Where it is not possible for one or both Clubs to fulfil a fixture, the PGB (or a committee of the same) shall determine the consequences for one or both Clubs (e.g. whether one or both clubs have forfeited the match). This process is consistent with that which was introduced and adopted in last season’s Competition.

3. Registration Deadline The registration deadlines will revert to those set out in the Competition Rules for the 2019-20 season and will therefore be 12 noon on the Friday immediately prior to the date fixed for playing the relevant round (save that, in respect of the Fifth Round of the Competition Proper, the deadline will be 12 noon on the Monday immediately prior to the date fixed for playing the relevant round) (see Competition Rule 15(h)).

C. Guidance related to COVID-19

As at the date of this note, The FA expects the following FA guidance related to COVID-19 to apply to the Extra Preliminary Round, Preliminary Round and the First Qualifying Round of the Qualifying Competition.

• COVID-19: Step Four Guidance for the National League System From the Second Qualifying Round of the Qualifying Competition onwards, The FA anticipates that a specific FA Cup Matchday Protocol will apply for any match that involves an elite club. The intention is that any such protocol will replicate those that are in place for the highest level of Clubs at a particular stage of the Competition (where appropriate for the Competition).

The FA will communicate any changes to the applicable guidance to Clubs participating in the relevant rounds as soon as reasonably possible.

Clubs are also expected to comply with any legislation and/or guidance issued by the Government or PHE and in force from time to time, including in relation to travel, self-isolation and social distancing.

D. Contacts The FA has appointed the following in respect of the Competition:

(i) COVID-19 Officer: Andy Ambler (ii) COVID-19 Medical Officer: Dr Mike Patterson

However, Clubs should still liaise with The FA’s Competitions Department in the first instance (in the usual way) by emailing [email protected] or contacting the individuals listed in the Important Match Information document.