MX23RW : Tuesday, May 28 11:47:19| >> :600:90699336:90699336:

EFL Cup semi-finals to be played over two legs next season

EFL Cup semi-finals to be played over two legs next season
© Reuters
The ties were played as one-off matches in the 2020-21 season.

The Carabao Cup semi-finals will return to being played over two legs next season, the EFL has confirmed.

The ties were played as one-off matches in the 2020-21 season after the coronavirus pandemic forced back the start of the campaign to September.

The semi-finals had previously been played over two legs since the League Cup's inception in 1960, and a spokesperson for the EFL told the PA news agency that the regular format has now been reinstated.

The most recent Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tie was this Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on January 29, 2020
The most recent Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tie was this Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on January 29, 2020 (Tim Goode/PA)

The ties will be played in weeks beginning January 3 and 10 next year. The first and second legs are usually two weeks apart but have been moved closer together for the coming season due to the additional, non-UEFA international window taking place at the end of January which runs into early February.

The Carabao Cup format faces a longer-term threat from UEFA's plans to revamp its club competitions from 2024 onwards.

Its proposals to expand the Champions League from 125 to 225 matches were approved by UEFA's executive committee in April, although there have been suggestions that aspects of the format could be revisited as part of a wider look at formats prompted by the foundation and swift collapse of the European Super League.

EFL chairman Rick Parry said in March that the proposals posed a "major threat" to the League Cup, and by extension to EFL clubs who he estimated would lose out on a third of current revenue if the competition was substantially altered.

EFL chairman Rick Parry has expressed concerns that a Champions League revamp poses a major threat to the Carabao Cup
EFL chairman Rick Parry has expressed concerns that a Champions League revamp poses a major threat to the Carabao Cup (Mike Egerton/PA)

Parry also took exception to UEFA's proposal for four extra rounds in the Champions League to occupy 'exclusive' midweek slots.

The Premier League is understood to be lobbying for January to remain clear for domestic football only.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin told The Times last year that it would be "better for everyone" if the Carabao Cup was scrapped.

ID:455125: cacheID:455125:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5605:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jamie Carragher pictured in December 2018
Read Next:
Jamie Carragher: 'Tottenham bottled the EFL Cup final'
>
Read more about Rick Parry Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!