Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has blamed the expansion of European competitions on the need to scrap FA Cup replays.
The move to ditch replays was met with plenty of opposition with critics suggesting it has been brought into benefit the top-flight elite at the expense of lower league clubs that rely on revenue generated from lucrative games at big venues.
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But Masters, speaking at the European Leagues General Assembly in London, says the Premier League and the FA had little choice given the lack of room in the calendar.
He said: “It is getting to a tipping point. The feedback we have from players is that there is too much football being played and there is constant expansion.
“The Premier League hasn’t changed shape. What has changed over the last few decades is the march of international and regional football competitions.
“We are proud to be different in England. We still have two cup competitions. We still believe it is for us to determine how big our league is.
“But if you pour more liquid into a cup that is already full, it will overflow. That is what is happening at the moment, not just in terms of the calendar but in terms of the players’ ability to be able to perform at their best in the competitions they want to play in.
“It stands to reason if you overload the calendar and the players, at some point, something has to give.”
The Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League will all involve more games from next season as the organisation attempts to ward off the threat of a European Super League.
Masters also gave a small update on the status of Manchester City’s hearing into their 115 alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations.
“We can’t comment on the case, the date is set,” he said. “The case will resolve itself at some point in the near future.
“I can’t make any further comment on it.”
Manchester City have denied any wrongdoing.
