Efl Criticises 'undermining' Of Cup As Palace Date Set

The English Football League has criticised nan "undermining" of nan Carabao Cup aft it was forced to discuss connected nan day of Crystal Palace's quarter-final because of fixture congestion.

Palace will now look Arsenal successful nan past 8 astatine Emirates Stadium connected Tuesday, 23 December astatine 20:00 GMT.

The different 3 quarter-finals return spot nan erstwhile week but nan Eagles' commitments successful nan Uefa Conference League - they big Finnish nine KuPS astatine Selhurst Park connected 18 December - has near them pinch 4 games successful 9 days.

Palace big Manchester City connected 14 December and are distant to Leeds connected 21 December, either broadside of nan KuPS game.

A connection from nan EFL was captious of nan "expansion of European cup competitions" which it believes was "implemented without capable consultation pinch home leagues".

The EFL said it had "shown a willingness to compromise" but scheduling conflicts are "now wholly unavoidable".

"To proceed making endless concessions only serves to undermine nan estimation of nan EFL Cup," said nan statement.

"It besides challenges nan accepted scheduling of nan English shot almanac and spot of our home game."

Uefa's European almanac now stretches crossed 10 midweeks, alternatively than nan six of 2 seasons ago, pinch nan Champions League, Europa League and Conference League each fixed a standalone week for exposure.

It has caused a immense logistical headache, pinch nan 3rd information of nan EFL Cup having to beryllium seeded and played crossed 2 weeks to support clubs successful nan Champions League and Europa League apart.

Palace leader Oliver Glasner said past week it would be "irresponsible" if nan nine were forced to play 2 games successful 3 days.

The EFL said it shared nan "frustration and concern" of managers and players concerning nan congested programme which deprived clubs of nan "necessary clip for preparation" and expertise to "field their strongest line-ups" successful nan EFL Cup.

The Premier League precocious blamed nan accrued number of European fixtures for location being conscionable 1 crippled connected 26 December successful nan English apical flight.

Boxing Day fixtures person been a long-standing contented successful English shot but this twelvemonth nan only Premier League crippled will beryllium Manchester United's location lucifer pinch Newcastle United (20:00 GMT).