EFL on collision course with Premier League bosses as League Cup plan scrapped
EFL chiefs have put themselves on a collision course with the Premier League over the Carabao Cup.
Trevor Birch, the EFL chief executive, made it clear that the two-legged semi final is here to stay because the Premier League have not come up with a new financial deal. It had been widely expected that the EFL would make the semi final a one-off game from next season to ease the congested fixture schedule.
The Football Association are also ready to scrap third and fourth round replays because of the new-look Champions League format from next season and also to enable Premier League clubs to have a proper winter break.
But the EFL have made it clear they are upset with the Premier League for not reaching an agreement over a new financial support package.
EFL chair Rick Parry this week slammed the Premier League for not making an offer even though the top flight is richer than ever.
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That has now led to the EFL confirming their fixture schedule for next season - and it includes a two-legged semi final. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been one of the most outspoken managers when it comes to the demands being put on players.
The EFL is in charge of the Carabao Cup and would want some sort of financial compensation for scrapping a second game with the Champions League Group games running into January from next season.
Birch said: “Whilst the fixture calendar remains a shared asset across the EFL, Premier League and Football Association, additional pressures from revamped European competitions means that scheduling across the season remains challenging and complex, so it requires a whole game response to find a solution.
“As it stands there is no agreement in place to make any changes to the Carabao Cup’s two-legged semi-final format, which continues to provide significant financial benefit to EFL Clubs.
“The League remains committed to a review of the calendar, but any significant changes cannot be made unilaterally, and would need to come with significant levels of compensation and adopted as part of any new distribution deal with the Premier League and its Clubs.”
The Premier League insist they have made proposals for a financial deal and remain committed to finding a solution before the Government brings in an independent regulator.
Premier League insiders believe that the EFL schedule is posturing in a desperate attempt to get the deal done and would also need consultation with clubs and UEFA as it could cause a fixture clash with the Champions League and extra Group matches in January.
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