Labour mayor Andy Burnham and his Tory counterpart Ben Houchen have united against controversial plans to scrap FA cup replays.
In a rare moment of political unity, the two mayors have condemned the decision which will come into force from next season and called for a “fight back”.
The FA is blaming the new format of the Champions League, which will cause “changes to the calendar”.
But it is feared the lack of replays will be hugely damaging for clubs lower down the football pyramid, particularly those outside the Football League (EFL).
Replays against bigger clubs are often a vital source of funds to keep such clubs afloat.
Mr Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, reacted to the plans by writing on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: “We should fight back against this. The game is being run in the interests of the few not the many.”
Mr Houchen, the Conservative mayor of Tees Valley, endorsed that viewing writing back: “I agree with this Mayor”.
Both politicians are currently campaigning to be relected on May 2. There has been no love lost between the pair in the past, with Mr Houchen previously accusing Mr Burnham of failing deliver on election pledges and presiding over an “absolute farce” at Greater Manchester Police.
But the FA’s move has provoked anger across the political spectrum, with Tim Farron, the Lib Dem MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, adding: “Scrapping FA Cup replays at the behest of the Premier League clubs without the consent of EFL and non league clubs is an absolute outrage, an example of sheer entitled arrogance and an appalling abuse of power. The FA needs to grow a backbone.”
Ealier this week, Rishi Sunak said he wanted football’s governing bodies to “explain” the decision, with many believing it has been driven by the biggest clubs in the Premier League who resent having to play extra games against lower league opposition.
“David and Goliath fixtures are a part of the magic of the cup and we know that replays have been a welcome source of income for smaller clubs throughout the years,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.
“These are however decisions for the footballing authorities.
“But clearly it’s incumbent on the FA and Premier League to explain this decision and why it’s in the interests of fans.”
EFL clubs are said to be considering a boycott of the competition and protests in response with one chairman accusing the Premier League of being “intent on disbanding the pyramid piece by piece.”
The FA has pledged to compensate smaller clubs in an attempt to stave off rebellion.
“We understand the concerns expressed over the last 24 hours, and we will be sharing more details with clubs very shortly to explain the additional revenue opportunities in the early rounds,” the FA said in a statement.
“We will keep this under review as the new calendar begins to ensure that EFL and National League clubs do not lose out.”
