Leeds United's Premier League dates confirmed with FA Cup set to abolish replays

The Whites are back in the top flight for the first time since 2004.
Leeds United will begin their Premier League campaign on September 12. (Getty)Leeds United will begin their Premier League campaign on September 12. (Getty)
Leeds United will begin their Premier League campaign on September 12. (Getty)

Leeds United’s Premier League campaign will begin on September 12 and end on May 23, it has been confirmed.

The top flight moved to clarify the dates for the forthcoming campaign ahead of the fixture release, which is due to take place no later than Friday, August 21.

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This season’s FA Cup has also been altered and will see replays abolished from the competition following a rescheduling of the campaign amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Participating clubs, however, will be affected financially.

“In order to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule, there will be no replays for the 2020-21 season,” said an FA statement.

“After two seasons of record levels of prize funds, the Emirates FA Cup prize fund has returned back in line with 2017-18 levels due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The Whites have also accepted an invitation to compete in the 2020/21 EFL Trophy next term.

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Leeds will field an Under-21s side in the competition for the first time in the club’s history after achieving category one academy status.

The tournament pits League One and Two clubs against 16 academy sides, with Leeds now due to take part after Thorp Arch’s tier grading was upped last month.

The group stage draw for the EFL Trophy will take place on August 18 with the first fixture scheduled for September 8 or 9 - just days ahead of the club’s opening Premier League outing at senior level.

The final of the competition will take place at Wembley stadium on March 14 next year.

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Significant changes have also been made by the EFL to the Carabao Cup, which will see the first four rounds compressed into consecutive weeks in September, the fifth round held the week before Christmas to avoid clashes with the Champions League and the end of much-criticised two-legged semi-finals.

Last-four ties will be played on January 5 or 6 with the club drawn first benefiting from home advantage. The final will take place on February 28.

Following promotion to the top flight, Leeds will also now enter the EFL/Carabao Cup at the second round stage.

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