Cup replays could face fixture axe

Richard Scudmore, the Premier League chief executive, believes the only way to cut the number of matches on next season's fixture calendar would be to abandon cup replays.

Richard Scudmore, the Premier League chief executive, believes the only way to cut the number of matches on next season's fixture calendar would be to abandon cup replays.

Scudamore has ruled out starting the season early in an effort to avoid a potential fixture pile-up in the spring. The 2006 World Cup starts on 9 June, and if there is to be a way of cutting down on games next season, to decrease the prospects of injury, then Scudamore suggests making all cup ties one-offs, including the Carling Cup semi-finals.

"We would co-operate with moving things around but within the bookends of this 13 August and 13 May next year," he said. "The one competition where you can't lose a single match is the Premier League." Meanwhile, the Premier League is to launch an inquiry into their competition's declining popularity, with falling crowds, saturation television coverage, high ticket prices, and the dominance of a few rich clubs to be discussed.