Dein calls for end to replays as Arsenal fixtures pile up

Spectators and viewers salivating over the prospect of a second episode of Saturday's classic FA Cup tie between Arsenal and Chelsea should enjoy it while they can.

Last night David Dein, the vice-chairman of Arsenal and, more significantly, also of the Football Association, added his influential voice to the lobby calling for the abolition of FA Cup replays in the competition's later stages.

"Something has got to give and we are talking about replays," he said. "It could be that from the fifth round onwards we should no longer have replays. But that might become a bit confusing. You don't what to confuse the fans: they need to know what the rules are. Maybe it should be one thing or the other.

"That said, I understand the needs of the smaller clubs. Take the example of Stevenage earning a replay against Newcastle a few years ago."

Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, echoed Dein when he said: "I would rather finish the game in one day," but he added, "replays make money and clubs will not vote for it."

Arsenal's need for cash, as Wenger later admitted, is no different. While they, with Manchester United, are the minority voices campaigning for a reduction in the Premier League, both joined the clubs protesting against the decision of Uefa, European football's governing body, to reduce the size of the Champions' League. This inconsistency means Dein's view on replays sits uncomfortably with his FA position.

Dein should be defending the competition not trying to weaken it further. Replays have been an integral part of FA Cup folklore and ties used to be replayed to a finish. When Arsenal won the Cup in 1979 they had taken five games to overcome Sheffield Wednesday in the third round. From 1992 replays have been limited to one fixture and, since 2000, the semi-final and final have had to be decided on the day.

The FA would make no official comment yesterday preferring to wait until Dein's comments, which are regarded as a personal view, were in the public domain.

In the meantime Wenger's team must play five matches in 15 days culminating in the 25 March Stamford Bridge replay. These include a Premiership fixture against Everton on 23 March. They could bring forward that game to the Saturday, but they would lose the £600,000 Sky payment. In the previous round Fulham opted to play Tottenham two days prior to their replay at Burnley to avoid similarly missing out. They lost 3-0.

"We love money as well [as Fulham] because we need it," admitted Wenger. "We are also in Valencia on the previous Wednesday. So if we bring the Everton game forward we will be at a disadvantage against them."

The decision, he added, is likely to depend on tomorrow's Champions' League ties. If Arsenal beat Roma at Highbury, and Ajax defeat Valencia in Amsterdam, Arsenal will be through and can send a shadow side to Spain on 19 March. They are then likely to bring the Everton game forward.

The players were less concerned, with Francis Jeffers expressing their view: "It's another a game we probably didn't want, but while you are winning I don't think the physical side matters. It only has an effect if results don't go your way."

The replay has also caused problems for the England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson. The planned summit with leading club managers, including Wenger and Claudio Ranieri, of Chelsea, had been scheduled for 24 March and will now be postponed. In addition, the replay falls on the eve of England's European Championship double-header. Fortunately, the first qualifier is against Liechtenstein, leaving replay participants a week to recover for the crucial match with Turkey on 2 April.