Replays have been scrapped in the FA Cup from the first round onwards.

The controversial decision has been announced by the Football Association today.

The FA, along with the Premier League, claim it is part of a new agreement which will "strengthen" the historic competition.

But the move is likely to draw criticism from some quarters over the removal of potentially money-spinning replays against top clubs for lower-league sides.

The FA said the move, which will be implemented next season, is driven by changes to the calendar caused by the expansion of UEFA competitions.

It means replays will only take place in the preliminary and qualifying rounds, before EFL clubs such as Carlisle United join the competition at the first round proper stage, with Premier League and Championship clubs then joining from the third round.

Currently there are no replays from the fifth round onwards.

Carlisle have been involved in some significant replays over the years, ranging from an historic double-header against Arsenal back in 1951 to a visit to Manchester United's Old Trafford in 1978  to the epic against Yeovil Town in 2016 which saw the Blues set-up a big fourth round home clash with Everton.

The FA announcement says the agreement is for "a minimum" of six years, starting next season.

All rounds of the FA Cup will now be played on weekends, they added, including the fifth round which has been played in midweek for the last five seasons.

"The fourth and fifth rounds and the quarter-finals all will be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time, and the fourth round will have an extended window from Friday to Wednesday to allow fans to watch consecutive days of Emirates FA Cup football," the statement added.

The FA also said that the Premier League has increased funding to the football pyramid, "providing up to an additional £33 million for grassroots football on top of the £100 million it currently gives to good causes each season."

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham claimed it was "critical" to "secure a strong format for the future" with the changes to the "very special" FA Cup.