Tamworth v Tottenham: FA slammed by ex-PGMOL chief after what happened in cup tie
Keith Hackett has slammed the Football Association (FA) for denying Tamworth the chance of an FA Cup replay against Tottenham.
Tamworth remarkably took Spurs to extra time in Sunday’s (12 January) third-round tie at the Lamb Ground in a performance that piles further pressure on Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham went on to win 3-0 in the additional 30 minutes, but in previous seasons Tamworth would have headed to North London for a money-spinning replay.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, former PGMOL chief Hackett hit out at the FA’s decision to scrap replays from this season.
“I have witnessed at first hand the joy of a club, its players, fans and volunteers in earning a replay in the FA Cup,” Hackett said.
“Tamworth’s participation in the cup with a live audience on television and a full stadium helped them to make their first decision before the game kicked off, and that was to make their club manager a full-time paid employee.
“They took Premier League Tottenham Hotspur to extra time. In the past that result would have taken Tamworth to a life-changing replay, earning them thousands and securing the future of the club long term.
“So I do think that those in power at the Football Association who made the decision to scrap replays got it badly wrong.
“Instead of looking after those smaller clubs like Tamworth and others, they fall in line with the request of those Premier League clubs who wanted replays scrapped.”
Tottenham get lucky escape in FA Cup tie with Tamworth
On another day, Tottenham and Postecoglou could easily have been on the end of one of the all-time great FA Cup giant killings.
Tamworth went close to winning the tie at the end of the 90 minutes, but ultimately Spurs’ quality told in the additional period.
While Spurs fans will be grateful to simply be through to the next round – where Aston Villa now await – this was yet another step backwards.
Questions will rightly be asked of the manager, who is losing more and more of the fanbase with his inability to kick on after a one-off positive result.
In other Tottenham news, Spurs could accept a considerable offer from abroad for two players.
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