Radical plans to change English football's league structure and "ease fixture congestion have been scrapped" because the FA will not consider moving FA Cup ties into midweek, according to Matt Barlow of the London DAILY MAIL. English Football League CEO Shaun Harvey unveiled his "Whole Game Solution" in May with proposals to create five top divisions of 20 teams in the "single biggest reform since the Premier League was introduced" in '92. Harvey wanted to focus most league fixtures at the weekend dates, focus the cup competitions in midweek and reduce the strain on the players -- "but his plan has collapsed inside six months because the FA refused to budge on its flagship competition." Harvey said, "As a result of the FA's decision, the board has been left with no option but to end the Whole Game Solution discussions as, in its current form, it is no longer viable" (DAILY MAIL, 11/16). REUTERS' Neil Robinson reported earlier this month, the FA announced a new six-year int'l broadcasting deal for the FA Cup, "with British media reports putting its value at about" £820M ($1.02B). This made the competition "too lucrative to tinker with, from the FA's point of view," and it refused to agree to a new calendar for the changes which would have been introduced for the '19-20 season. Reacting to the news that the changes would not now go ahead, League Two side Exeter City Chair Julian Tagg said, "Many fans across the country didn't like the idea of change and I think that was the same with our club. I think there'll be a little bit of a sigh of relief" (REUTERS, 11/16). The BBC reported the FA said that it remains "fully committed" to working with the EFL and the Premier League regarding the issue of fixture congestion. An FA spokesperson said, "This is why we are trialing the removal of sixth-round replays in the FA Cup this season and why we supported the EFL in consulting on its innovative ideas for reform. That commitment remains." Harvey said that the EFL would still "welcome a change" in the FA's position. Harvey: "We are, of course, open to re-engaging in what is a hugely important debate that was designed to help shape the future of football in this country" (BBC, 11/16).
