Future of Carabao Cup in question as EFL seeks deal with Premier League

The renaissance of the Carabao Cup has proven the competition is integral to English football, says the EFL, but it would be willing to change the tournament if it meant reaching a new financial settlement with the Premier League.

Manchester United take on Newcastle at Wembley in the most eagerly anticipated League Cup final in years on Sunday, days after the government is expected to publish its long-awaited white paper on an independent regulator for English football.

The future of the League Cup has come into question after changes to European competition meant top sides will soon play more Champions League fixtures in the autumn and winter. The EFL’s chair, Rick Parry, says ticket sales and viewing figures prove the Carabao Cup is “immensely popular” and a financial lifeline for the football pyramid. But the structure of the cup remains up for negotiation, he says, if it unblocks talks that were supposed to have been resolved a year ago.

“Last year we had a record audience for the Carabao Cup, with 4 million watching the final,” Parry said. “This year attendances have been up and are at pretty much at record levels. It’s a competition that’s immensely popular. That said: are we prepared to have constructive dialogue given the challenges of the calendar, yes of course. We’re prepared to consider pretty much every possibility.”

Matters up for discussion include the possibility of abandoning two-leg semi-finals, and Champions League teams fielding under-21 sides in early rounds has also been reported, if a deal that includes new levels of financial distribution can be agreed. But Parry, who is anticipating the government white paper will propose that the regulator have the ability to enforce or arbitrate on a settlement