FA Cup replay ordered due to officiating error

[CaptainsPlease]

It has been publicised that the Bridlington Town v Knaresborough Town FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay that was played last Tuesday will be replayed tonight. During extra time Knaresborough, the side that lost the tie, was refused their 5th substitution (3 in normal time + 2 in extra time), when teams are actually allowed to make 5 subs from 7, and also make a 6th sub in extra time if they wish.

 

[one]

Hypothetical question for individuals. As the manager of a losing team who also knows the rules of the competition well, if you request a sub and you are refused, would you insist you should be allowed under the rules of the comp or would you quietly let it slide?

 

[RefereeX]

Hypothetical question for individuals. As the manager of a losing team who also knows the rules of the competition well, if you request a sub and you are refused, would you insist you should be allowed under the rules of the comp or would you quietly let it slide?

There is merit in quietly letting it slide, because you know that it almost becomes a free hit. If you win, you win, if you don't, you appeal and have a good chance of getting it replayed.

That's why it's important for all officials to be up on competition rules and to discuss it pre-match so everyone is on the same page

 

[Archer]

There is merit in quietly letting it slide, because you know that it almost becomes a free hit. If you win, you win, if you don't, you appeal and have a good chance of getting it replayed.

Player availability too, your big number 9 might have shaken off that knock from the weekend. Super sub kid back from his hollibobs etc.

Can’t imagine the two managers I had in the EPR taking a “no” lightly I’d have learned even more new words.

 

[one]

There is merit in quietly letting it slide, because you know that it almost becomes a free hit. If you win, you win, if you don't, you appeal and have a good chance of getting it replayed.

That's why it's important for all officials to be up on competition rules and to discuss it pre-match so everyone is on the same page

Agree with your second paragraph but I feel once it has happened, the outcome in OP is punishing the winning team unfairly for the mistake of the officials. And enable the losing team to knwingly take advantage of it.

For me, fairer rule (but still not the best) is for the game to be replayed from the minute the substitution was refused.

 

[JamesL]

There is merit in quietly letting it slide, because you know that it almost becomes a free hit. If you win, you win, if you don't, you appeal and have a good chance of getting it replayed.

That's why it's important for all officials to be up on competition rules and to discuss it pre-match so everyone is on the same page

Not quite as simple as this. A few years a go a game was replayed following a player being sin binned on the winning team.

So even if you are disadvantaged as the winning team and the matter is brought to the attention of the FA then likely outcome is a replay.

And the referee will find themselves with some free weekends for the next few weeks.

 

[bester]

I'm presuming the other team wanted to make more than 3 subs as well.

 

[RefereeX]

Not quite as simple as this. A few years a go a game was replayed following a player being sin binned on the winning team.

So even if you are disadvantaged as the winning team and the matter is brought to the attention of the FA then likely outcome is a replay.

And the referee will find themselves with some free weekends for the next few weeks.

Of course, but that would certainly be my logic as a manager. I don't agree with it either.

It's less likely that the other team are going to think much of it if you win fair and square, so while it's possible, it's still likely that you get a free hit, in my opinion.

 

[RefDL95]

Of course, but that would certainly be my logic as a manager. I don't agree with it either.

It's less likely that the other team are going to think much of it if you win fair and square, so while it's possible, it's still likely that you get a free hit, in my opinion.

At the end of it all as match officials it's up to us to know the competition rules...it's not like they aren't sent out when you're appointed to rounds either. All three match officials should ensure they are aware of them in advance and seek clarity if anything is unclear

 

[socal lurker]

For me, fairer rule (but still not the best) is for the game to be replayed from the minute the substitution was refused.

in baseball (which is admittedly episodic in a way soccer is not), a protest can only be made if the manager objects at the time, giving the umpire a chance to fix it. The rule makes teams responsible for knowing the rules and avoids this type of gamesmanship. (Might be hard to implement in soccer. While it could work for something like this incident, it wouldn’t necessarily for on field incidents, especially in the absence of a 4O.)

 

[RefereeX]

Important FA Cup update

Important FA Cup update.Tuesday 5 August 2025 The Emirates FA Cup - Extra Preliminary Round ReplayBridlington Town v Knaresborough TownFollowing a report of an incident which occurred in the above match, the matter has been referred to a Sub-Committee appointed by The FA Professional Game Board...

www.bridtownafc.com

Have just seen this... this statement makes me think it wasn't through lack of trying that the referee didn't know competition rules, he just misinterpreted it.
We get sent a summary of the rules which says 1 additional substitute allowed in extra time.
This obviously means that the club, should they wish, may make 3 subs in normal time and 3 further subs in extra time, as the last 1 would be that 1 additional sub and the previous 2 extra time subs are just making up the standard 5.
It would suggest that the match referee understood this to mean a club may only make 1 further substitute in extra time, regardless of the amount made in normal time.

 

[CaptainsPlease]

Important FA Cup update

Important FA Cup update.Tuesday 5 August 2025 The Emirates FA Cup - Extra Preliminary Round ReplayBridlington Town v Knaresborough TownFollowing a report of an incident which occurred in the above match, the matter has been referred to a Sub-Committee appointed by The FA Professional Game Board...

www.bridtownafc.com

Have just seen this... this statement makes me think it wasn't through lack of trying that the referee didn't know competition rules, he just misinterpreted it.
We get sent a summary of the rules which says 1 additional substitute allowed in extra time.
This obviously means that the club, should they wish, may make 3 subs in normal time and 3 further subs in extra time, as the last 1 would be that 1 additional sub and the previous 2 extra time subs are just making up the standard 5.
It would suggest that the match referee understood this to mean a club may only make 1 further substitute in extra time, regardless of the amount made in normal time.

Thanks I have corrected my original post. The Laws of the Game are also clear that unused substitutions may be used in extra time.

 

[Archer]

This is the exact (relevant) part from the competition rules sent to us all:



Edit: Understood @moderators ! Alternative image uploaded

 

[bester]

To add some balance there was an FA comp last year where The FA were frantically calling the appointed officials on the day of the game to tell them the rules provided by The FA were incorrect.