FA Women’s Cup: Supporters’ clubs oppose new proposals for the competition

However, the proposal has been met with opposition on social media, with SheGulls, which represents Brighton and Hove Albion fans, suggesting that preferential treatment given to “elite level teams” would only widen the gap in quality across the pyramid.

“The sporting merit of our game is slowly eroding in favor of ‘supermatches’ between elite level teams,” SheGulls wrote on X.

“The rich will get richer, and teams will fade up and down the pyramid knowing that without tens of millions of pounds, they won’t even be able to get the big time.”

Fulham Women Supporters Club, whose team plays in the fourth tier, described the idea as a “ridiculous idea” and added: “[It] It goes against all principles of the FA Cup. I would like to see WSL teams actually get to the round early.”

“And that’s the magic of the FA Cup! The Underground Cup [League Cup] Is this a farce, now?” added the official Everton Women’s Supporters Club.

“It’s all about the money. It didn’t take long for women’s football to be destroyed, and it did too…”

In its current format, the Women’s FA Cup follows the same format as the men’s competition, with a draw held after each round.

There is a preliminary round and three qualifying rounds involving teams from level four to seven of the pyramid, with National Women’s League teams entering in the first round, and WSL2 teams in the third round.

The WSL’s 12 teams – which will rise to 14 from next season – enter the draw in the fourth round, the last of 32 teams.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City – who finished in the top four of the Premier League last season – have won the past 13 FA Women’s Cup titles between them.