Unprecedented in the FA Cup: Match to Be Replayed Over Referee Error

During the international break, with Nations League fixtures taking center stage, several FA Cup matches were played in England. Lower-league clubs got their chance to compete in the world’s oldest national cup competition — among them the tie between Woodford Town of the Essex Senior League and Mulbarton Wanderers of Isthmian League Division One North. The match was played on September 19, with the visitors winning 2-1. However, due to a referee error, the game will have to be replayed.

Woodford Town filed a complaint with the FA in recent days over a decision the referee made in the 30th minute. Woodford scored from a penalty, but the referee disallowed the goal because of encroachment by several home players.

Immediately after, the referee awarded a free kick to the opponents and made the error. Under the rules, the referee should have ordered the penalty to be retaken or allowed the goal to stand. After an initial rejection of the appeal, the case was passed to an FA sub-committee, which ordered the match to be replayed on September 29. This time it will be played at Mulbarton’s stadium.