ANDY BURNHAM HITS NAIL ON THE HEAD AS FANS FUME OVER CARABAO CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has hit out at the move to split the teams playing European football away from the main draw for the Carabao Cup third round.

For the first time, the teams who qualified for the Champions League and Europa League were involed in a 'pre-draw'. That saw them handed either a slot as a home team or one as an away team before the main draw.

The six teams of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham were then drawn in the first grouping of ties. The first four were handed home ties, with the final two having away trips in the third round.

The rest of the draw then took place as normal. The ties involving the 'European Six' will also be held in a different week to the rest of the games, as they are scheduled to be playing in their European competitions.

But the move to conduct a pre-draw left Burnham, a huge football fan, furious. He posted a picture of the pre-draw on Twitter, with the caption: "I worry about where English football is heading."

Burnham was not the only supporter to be concerned, with many turning to his post to relay their own fears. The EFL were branded 'ridiculous' for making the change to the way the draw works.

One fan said: "You’re right to worry. It’s a disgrace." Another added: "Absolutely ridiculous draw system. So biased towards the so called top 6. That said they are the only clubs Sky Sports are interested in."

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A third fumed: "This is what the death of football looks like. Very much a closed shop like the American team sports." A fourth questioned: "I’m baffled as to why teams playing in European competitions can’t play each other but they can play teams who aren’t in European competitions?"

A fifth said: "The fact they can't draw each other is bad enough, but out of 6, how is it 4 are guaranteed a home draw and only 2 away? Why not 3/3?" While a sixth concluded: "You’re either in the cup or you’re not. Get rid of seeding or helping out the champions league teams. If they don’t want to enter don’t force them."

Holders Liverpool were the first team drawn and they will face fellow Premier League side West Ham at home. Arsenal will be at home to League One Bolton Wanderers, while Manchester City face Watford at the Etihad Stadium.

Meanwhile Barnsley have been handed a dream trip to Manchester United. The only European qualified teams to be playing away are Aston Villa, who will travel to Wycombe, and Spurs, who will visit Coventry.

Arguably the two ties of Round Three will feature League Two teams. Fresh from beating Premier League Ipswich in round two, AFC Wimbledon will host Newcastle, while fellow fourth tier team Barrow travel to Chelsea.

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2024-08-28T23:25:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd