Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the Football Association on the recent decision to end FA Cup replays.

The management of competitive programmes is a matter for the relevant National Governing Body which, in this instance, is the Football Association (FA), but clearly it is incumbent on the FA and Premier League to explain this decision and why it is in the interests of fans.

We expect the FA and Premier League to consult with the English Football League (EFL) and other leagues further down the pyramid on moves such as this and reach agreements collectively.

The Secretary of State and I regularly engage with national governing bodies, and I will shortly be meeting with the FA to discuss this, alongside a range of issues.