Carabao Cup semi-final chaos as second-leg dates delayed due to 'complicated' fixture schedule, hitting Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City and Burton
EFL confirmed clubs will not know when the second legs are until after the FA Cup 4th Round draw on January 7
By Joshua Jones
Updated: 31 Dec 2018, 14:03
CHELSEA, Tottenham, Manchester City and Burton will have to wait until January 7 to find out when the second legs of the Carabao Cup semi-finals will take place.
The EFL, which runs the tournament, confirmed today that the dates cannot be confirmed until the FA Cup 4th Round draw is completed - and could then lead to a fixture pile-up.
The dates for the second legs of this season's Carabao Cup will not be confirmed until January 7 at the earliestCredit: Getty - Contributor
That is due to Manchester City and Tottenham's games which have been selected to be live on TVCredit: AFP or licensors
Spurs host Chelsea while City welcome Burton in the first legs - which will be played on Tuesday January 8 and Wednesday January 9 respectively as confirmed this week.
But they still do not know when the reverse games at Stamford Bridge and the Pirelli Stadium will take place due to a "complicated and congested fixture schedule".
The EFL said: "Confirmed dates for the first leg ties were released earlier this week but finalising arrangements for the return legs is being held up by a complicated and congested fixture schedule.
"The challenge comes as a result of Club involvement in multiple competitions, and the EFL is working closely with the Premier League and the Football Association to reach an acceptable solution for all parties.
The London derby between Chelsea and Spurs promises to be a brilliant tieCredit: AFP or licensors
"A decision will therefore be taken with the involvement of all parties when the options are clearer following the completion of the FA Cup Round Four Draw."
The second legs were due to be played in the week commencing Monday January 21 but there are several complications.
Firstly, Manchester City travel to Huddersfield and Fulham host Tottenham on Sunday January 20 - those games have been put back to be live on Sky Sports.
They would therefore be unlikely to want to play just two days later on Tuesday 22.
Nigel Clough and his Burton side still do not know when Manchester City will come to townCredit: PA:Press Association
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If either club requested to play the second leg on Thursday 24, their FA Cup involvement the following weekend must be considered because "the FA cannot guarantee scheduling either side on Sunday 27 January if either Tottenham Hotspur or Chelsea draw Newcastle United or Manchester City".
This is because Newcastle play City in the Premier League live on BT Sport on Tuesday 29 and this cannot be moved.
It means clubs may have to re-arrange their schedules at late notice and does not give fans much time to sort out travel arrangements, especially City supporters travelling to Burton.
For example, Pep Guardiola's team are scheduled to play Huddersfield on January 20, Burton in mid-week, Newcastle on January 29 and Arsenal on February 3 with a potential FA Cup 4th Round tie on the weekend of January 26/27.