The Premier League’s top clubs could be forced to field youth-teams if they reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals next season due to a clash with European fixtures.
Mail Sport has learned that in a draft fixture list produced by the EFL there is a clash between the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals and the penultimate round of group matches in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.
The EFL released the key dates in their 2024/25 schedule last week, with chief executive Trevor Birch making clear that two-legged Carabao Cup semi-finals would remain as they have yet to reach an agreement with the Premier League over increased funding for the lower divisions.