Planet Swans ArchivesThe rather strange decision from the Football League is to hold the draw in Beijing and therefore the timing has been set for local times rather than the UK draw. The decision has to be regarded as one of the strangest ones given the fact that this stage of the competition barely draws much interest in this country let alone one many thousands of miles away.
The draws have not run smoothly this season. The first-round draw, held in Thailand where the makers of the Carabao energy drink are based, descended into farce as Charlton Athletic were shown to be playing twice and other clubs were given the wrong opponents in an on-screen graphic.
Problems also surfaced in the second-round draw, with a number of clubs in the southern section, including Norwich, Charlton, Brentford and Watford, tweeting about their confusion regarding whether they were at home or away.
An EFL spokesman was asked to defend the decision and sai: รขโฌลWe understand that not everyone will agree on the timing of this weekรขโฌโขs round three draw, but in staging in this way it will give the competition both the maximum exposure in the UK, Chinese and south-east Asian markets. This is not only an important factor for the EFL but also our new sponsors Carabao, who, like ourselves, plan to use the growing global appeal of the competition to reach new audiences.
รขโฌลOnce the logistics have been completed in Beijing, the UK will be waking up and the breakfast media will be able to report and get reaction on the 16 ties that will take place next month, which we feel is an interesting move away from the usual post-game evening draws.
รขโฌลThe round three draw itself is not being televised live in China or anywhere else but the EFL will be providing full coverage across its Carabao Cup Twitter feed, with news and reaction as it happens.
รขโฌลOur decision to go to China is part of a strategic plan to grow the EFL internationally and specifically boost profile and exposure in Asean markets. A number of potentially significant meetings are being held around the draw that we envisage will deliver a benefit to all 72 clubs of the EFL.”
The Swans were of course winners of the trophy in 2013 but I think it is safe to say that I don’t have any great plans to be up to watch the draw at 4.15am!
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