Carabao clash with European matches

TOP Premier League clubs could be forced to field youth teams in the latter stages of the Carabao Cup next season due to a clash with European fixtures. Mail Sport has learned that in a draft fixture list produced by the EFL, there is a clash of dates involving Carabao Cup ties and matches in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, which could affect up to eight Premier League sides. The EFL released the key dates in their 2024-25 schedule last week, with chief executive Trevor Birch making it clear that two-legged Carabao Cup semi-finals would remain, as they have yet to reach an agreement with the Premier League over increased funding for the lower divisions. While the EFL did not publicise the fixture list, their provisional schedule includes a clash with the Champions League and Europa League group stage, which will expand to eight games per club next season. EFL sources insist their fixture list remains subject to change, but there is no wriggle room in the calendar. Based on this year, the second leg of next year’s semi-finals would clash with matchday seven of UEFA’s group stages, which will not be completed until the end of January. Liverpool fielded a youth team in a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa five years ago, as their Club World Cup semi-final in Doha was scheduled for 24 hours later. Ironically, the biggest clubs have rarely been more committed to the Carabao Cup, with Liverpool and Chelsea meeting in the final for the second time in three years next month. After consultation with police, that match will kick-off at 3pm, 90 minutes earlier than planned.