Non-Premier League teams 'will NOT receive free Covid tests ahead of the FA Cup third round next month', as English football's governing body 'pulls the plug on PCR funding for EFL and non-league sides' with cheaper lateral flows used instead

The FA has pulled the plug on free Covid testing for teams outside the Premier League ahead of next month's FA Cup third round, according to reports.

English football's governing body covered the cost for non-top flight clubs to undergo PCR testing ahead of third-round fixtures last season, yet The Athletic claim that will not be the case this time around.

Cheaper lateral flow tests will instead be used from January onwards, a move which falls in line with Premier League and EFL protocols.

As Covid cases continue to rise in the UK, and the Omicron variant rips through the country, the Premier League will maintain its own daily testing regime after receiving approval at a shareholders' meeting last Tuesday.