Replays to be abolished

In an attempt to rejuvenate the ailing competition, the FA has decided to look at the option of abolishing replays in the FA Cup.

Any proposals are now likely to be placed before the main board in the next few months and will require its approval if they are to be written into the tender document for the next set of FA Cup rights from 2012-13 onwards.

Followed is a list of suggestions the FA is to consider

Change final to evening kick-off

Would be resisted by traditionalists and the police but welcomed by broadcasters who have long felt that a kick-off at 5.15pm or later would mean bigger audiences

Winners qualify for Champions League

Given the huge value on a Champions League place and the comparatively devalued Europa League, would make the competition far more attractive to clubs and fans at a stroke. Uefa's president, Michel Platini, has previously floated the idea but would face huge opposition from the Premier League and other big European leagues - particularly those where the Cup has less tradition attached. Would only likely succeed if it was an additional place, which in turn would lead to new charges of devaluing the Champions League.

Scrap replays

Would reduce fixture congestion and potentially make one-off matches, decided by penalties, more exciting. Its proponents believe creative ways could be found to redistribute prize money and maintain broadcasters' inventory so as not to impact too much on revenues or the number of matches on TV. . But would be resisted by lower league clubs.

Introduce seeding

The random nature of the draw is seen as one the Cup's great selling points but so too is the prospect of giant killing. Seeding might bring more shocks as more lower league teams would go up against bigger names, but would at a stroke remove some of the romance. And there would be less chance of smaller teams advancing deep into the draw

Use as a testing ground

The FA to encourage teams to allow broadcasters to use the FA Cup as a testing ground for new techniques. ESPN, for example, hopes to continue its policy of talking to managers during matches into the later rounds. One idea floated was to use the competition to test innovations such as goalline technology, thus increasing interest.

Play some rounds midweek

Given the congested calendar, it is felt by some that playing selected rounds under lights would increase interest and attendances. Broadcasters would be likely to welcome the idea, given the potential for increased audiences. More prize money: The FA has experimented with increasing prize money in recent years in a bid to increase its appeal to big clubs, before having to reduce it again in the wake of the collapse of Setanta. But it is felt that, unless the prize fund was increased to unsustainable amounts, it is likely to have little overall effect on the priorities of big clubs given the riches on offer for finishing higher in the Premier League or qualifying for the Champions League.