FA set to review international call-up rules after Sunderland and Burton's 'frustration'

The FA are set to review their rules around international call-ups after Sunderland and Burton Albion were left 'frustrated’ by the refusal of their request to move their FA Cup replays.
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The two teams are set to face Gillingham and Salford City respectively on Tuesday night after their first-round ties ended in a draw.

Both sides postponed their weekend league fixtures due to international call-ups, in line with EFL rules, and were eager to do the same with these fixtures.

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Sunderland face Burton Albion in a League One fixture at the Stadium of Light next Tuesday, meaning it would have been possible to play that fixture later in the season and play the replays on that date.

Sunderland manager Phil ParkinsonSunderland manager Phil Parkinson
Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson

“There was talk of that and the FA took a while to decide we couldn’t do that," Parkinson said.

“It’s a bit of a loophole really that you can call a league game off because of international call-ups but not an FA Cup game.

“They looked at it very, very closely and then decided it was a no, but they have promised everybody that they will review the rules for next year.

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“We go ahead with the replay and Burton were as frustrated with it as we were.”

Parkinson will be missing ten players for the cup replay at Gillingham, with six injuries and four players away on international duty.