Chaos and confusion over Carabao Cup draw

Ian Watson

The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup caused confusion on Thursday.

A number of teams in the Southern Section were unsure of whether they would be playing home or away at the conclusion of the draw before the English Football League confirmed four games had been drawn incorrectly.

It is the second time this year confusion has reigned as during the first-round draw, held in Bangkok in June, Charlton appeared to have been drawn twice due to an error with an on-screen graphic.

On this occasion the draw, which was conducted in the Sky Sports studios by Alex McLeish and John Salako alongside host Julian Warren, appeared to go awry early on as the Southern Section took shape.

Seeded teams were picked out first, followed by whether they would be at home or away before their opponents were drawn.

But as Salako said Norwich would be away to Charlton, he appeared to realise that match and the previous three ties had been drawn the wrong way around.

A number of affected clubs in the Southern Section, including Norwich, Charlton, Brentford and Watford, all tweeted about their confusion.

Watford initially reported an away tie against Bristol City, as per the draw, only to amend it to a home one.

Brentford tweeted: “We will be at home to QPR”, before following up with: “Or we might be away, we’re not quite sure!!”.

Brentford (v QPR), Ipswich (v Crystal Palace), Bristol City (v Watford) and Charlton (v Norwich) were all given away ties having initially thought they were at home.

An EFL statement read: “In the Southern draw there was some confusion as to the home or away status of the first four ties. This has subsequently been clarified following a review of the TV output. The draw was in no way compromised.”

There was further confusion with Newport put in the northern pot to avoid being drawn with West Ham, with both sides given clearance to play away.

Newport, whose pitch is being relaid and is not yet ready for football, were then drawn at home to Leeds but the tie will be played at Elland Road.

West Ham must play their tie away because the London Stadium will not be ready for football following the athletics World Championships, and they were handed a trip to Cheltenham.

The second-round draw for the Carabao Cup, as verified by the EFL:

South Group

QPR v Brentford

Crystal Palace v Ipswich

Watford v Bristol City

Norwich v Charlton

Cheltenham v West Ham

Brighton v Barnet

Cardiff v Burton

Southampton v Wolves

Fulham v Bristol Rovers

MK Dons v Swansea

Birmingham v Bournemouth

Reading v Millwall

North Group

Carlisle v Sunderland

Bolton v Sheff Wed

Accrington v West Brom

Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

Leeds v Newport

Stoke v Rochdale

Huddersfield v Rotherham

Middlesbrough v Scunthorpe

Doncaster v Hull

Sheff Utd v Leicester

Aston Villa vs Wigan

Barnsley v Derby/Grimsby