Fans are convinced the Carabao Cup draw is 'rigged' due to error in ball numbering
Fans are convinced the Carabao Cup draw was 'rigged' due to an error in the ball numbering.
The third round of the Carabao Cup was mapped out following last night's draw, which took place at the Eco-Power Stadium after Everton beat Doncaster Rovers 2-1.
Competition holders Manchester United face fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace while Arsenal travel to Brentford in another all-top flight clash.
Aston Villa take on Everton while Chelsea meet Brighton. But the tie of the round sees treble-winners Manchester City face Newcastle United at St. James' Park.
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However, fans online think the draw between Newcastle and Man City SHOULDN'T have been permitted.
🏆 We will face Manchester City at home in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 30, 2023
Third round ties are set to take place during the week beginning Monday, 25 September. pic.twitter.com/NxPttQ5A1z
They're claiming Newcastle and Norwich City were in the incorrect alphabetical order, meaning they were allocated the wrong ball number.
The Championship side were 'Ball 19' while the Magpies were 'Ball 20'. By alphabetical order, Eddie Howe's side should have been 'Ball 19' and The Canaries should have been 'Ball 20'.
Of course, Newcastle went onto draw Man City while Norwich were paired with Fulham. Had the balls been in alphabetical order, Newcastle would have played Fulham at Craven Cottage and Norwich would have hosted Man City.
If Newcastle were given their correct number in the draw (19) we would have drawn Fulham away.
— NUFC HQ (@NUFC_HQ) August 30, 2023
As you can see, draw numbers are done in alphabetically, with the only mistake being Norwich and Newcastle in the wrong order.
Hmm @Carabao_Cup 🤔 pic.twitter.com/BlFZPAQ4Fp
Needless to say, the supposed error in the ball numbering sent social media wild.
One X user wrote: "What’s going on here then? Should we not be #19? Last time I remembered Norwich came after Newcastle alphabetically."
A second commented: "How's this fair? @Carabao_Cup Norwich and Newcastle in the wrong order and now we've got City."
A third added: "Knowing Newcastle we’d probably win an appeal and still lose to Fulham but what the hell is going on here man? Only thing a can think of is it being NUFC and NCFC but surely we normally come before Norwich alphabetically?"
A fourth questioned: "Shouldn't Norwich be 20 & Newcastle 19..."
Another said: "Carabao Cup draw is rigged."
Topics: Carabao Cup, Football, Fan Reactions
Nasir Jabbar