PL clubs will be forced to field teams for FA Cup third round ties despite Covid issues

All 20 Premier League clubs will need to fulfil their fixtures

Premier League clubs have been informed that they must field a team for this weekend's FA Cup third round matches, despite the ongoing impact that Covid-19 is having on many top-flight clubs, according to the Daily Mail. It is reported that all 20 clubs were told on Wednesday that they need to fulfil their respective fixture, even if it means they have to use a team full of academy players. A host of matches have been cancelled in recent weeks as the number of Covid cases among players and staff has increased, along with a rise in player injuries. Current Premier League rules state that a game can only be postponed if a club can prove that they don't have 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper available from their senior squad and a list of 'appropriately experienced Under-21s.' However, the Premier League have confirmed that - unlike their own rules - there will not be any specific experience criteria regarding young players in this season's FA Cup. Therefore, clubs will be required to name any registered players in order to meet the 14 players threshold required for the game to go ahead. Within the guidance sent to top-flight clubs on Wednesday was confirmation that any young player who either plays or is an unused substitute for this weekend's FA cup fixtures will be exempt from being considered as an 'appropriately experienced U21 player' for Premier League matches.

The correspondence, reported by Sportsmail, read: "We believe this exception is warranted given the possible consequences of the FA's position, in respect of a competition that (for our clubs) has not yet begun.

"We also believe it is an approach that helps assist squad availability during a congested January fixture schedule and best protects the balance between maintaining the integrity of the League and ensuring fixtures are fulfilled."

https://twitter.com/LewisCox_star/status/1479079287554813955 While the FA's player availability rule will help to reduce the number of postponements and consequently help ease the hectic fixture congestion, it does technically allow for Premier League clubs to field teams consisting of mainly academy players, which would allow them to rest their senior players. However, the FA are keen to avoid this as they attempt to protect the integrity of the competition. It is understood that, in extreme circumstances, the FA would consider an application to postpone a match if a club's playing staff has been completely decimated by Covid and injury.

An FA spokesman told Sportsmail: "Clubs competing in the 2021/22 Emirates FA Cup are expected to participate in fixtures as they are currently scheduled.

"However, if a club does not have the sufficient number of eligible players available due to COVID-19, this should be reported to The FA at the earliest opportunity and would be referred to the Professional Game Board for consideration.

"Replays have been removed in both the Third and Fourth rounds of the 2021/22 Emirates FA Cup to alleviate the possibility of fixture congestion following several postponements in recent weeks and continued uncertainty ahead due to COVID-19."

Manchester City are the first Premier League side in FA Cup action this weekend as they travel to League Two side Swindon Town on Friday night.

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