After the FA Cup fifth round matches this past weekend, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have demanded a significant rule change. There were plenty of controversies throughout the matches, and eight teams advanced to the quarterfinals of the oldest domestic football cup in the world.
More VAR-related problems occurred when semi-automated offsides caused a significant delay in Bournemouth’s match against Wolves, while Jean-Philippe Mateta needed up to 20 stitches in his ear after a graphic altercation with Millwall custodian Liam Roberts. But after Manchester United’s unexpected loss to Fulham, Shearer and Lineker have said clearly what rule needs to be changed.
Lineker and Shearer Call For Extra-Time to Be Scrapped
The ex-England internationals say removing the rule will protect players
Both Lineker and Shearer stated their wish to see extra time eliminated from the FA Cup in an interview with the most recent episode of the Rest is Football podcast. Teams were unable to separate, hence an extra 30 minutes were played in four of the fifth-round matches. Only Brighton’s victory over Newcastle, though, saw a goal during this time; the other three games were decided by penalties.
As a result, the commentators argue that watching teams advance directly to the shootout would be more entertaining while also highlighting the advantages for the players, who already have a full schedule, as Lineker said:
“Just eliminate excess time; we’ve argued a much. Simply go to penalties. It’s so logical. Especially considering how many football teams are now playing and how many injuries are occurring.
“Just play 90 minutes and use penalties to decide the outcome. ‘Come on, penalty shootout, a bit of excitement’ is what most of us believe when it comes to extra-time, especially when it’s as terrible as it was last night.”
Shearer echoed this attitude when he said, “Go straight to penalties. I wholeheartedly support that.
After Tottenham eliminated Tamworth in the third round after the Premier League team scored three goals in the extra thirty minutes, Lineker likewise contended that extra time is advantageous for the bigger sides. The FA is now thinking about removing it in the future as a result of these allegations.
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