EFL Firm on Carabao Cup Structure, Eyes Premier League Collaboration

The English Football League (EFL) has confirmed that two-legged semi-finals will be retained in the Carabao Cup for the 2024-25 season. However, the EFL is open to changing the format if an agreement with the Premier League can be reached. The EFL is frustrated with the Premier League’s reluctance to provide more funds to the lower leagues. EFL chairman Rick Parry indicated that the two-legged semi-final format would not be scrapped without a deal. The EFL acknowledges the challenge of fitting the tournament into the calendar especially with UEFA’s expansion of club competitions. The EFL Cup semi-finals have traditionally been held over two legs since the tournament’s inception in 1961.

The announcement comes as the EFL unveiled its 2024-25 calendar, emphasizing a commitment to reviewing the schedule but emphasizing the need for any significant changes to be part of a new distribution deal with the Premier League. The EFL privately recognizes the difficulty of fitting the tournament into the calendar due to the expanded European schedule. The Football Association has reportedly accepted that replays are impractical for the FA Cup third and fourth rounds, with potential changes linked to an overall deal, including moving the fifth round back to a weekend date.