Fans say ‘you can’t pretend it isn’t rigged’ as Carabao Cup draw hands out play-off final repeat and huge derby

THE first Carabao Cup draw of the 2025-26 campaign took place on Thursday afternoon – and it left some fans seething.

Among the first-round fixtures drawn by John Barnes and Shay Given were a huge derby and a repeat of a recent play-off final.

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Chelsterfield will host rivals Mansfield Town at the SMH Group Stadium.

The two clubs last faced each other in April 2018, with Mansfield snatching a 1-0 win away from home.

The rivalry between the two – branded the Miners strike derby – dates back to 1933 with Chesterfield having won the most games.

Meanwhile, Luton Town will travel to face Coventry City.

The two sides went head-to-head in the 2022-23 Championship play-off final, with Luton earning promotion.

Jordan Clark opened the scoring for the Hatters in the 23rd minute before Gustavo Hamer equalised for Coventry after half-time.

With the score 1-1 after 120 minutes, penalties were needed and Luton went on to win.

Some fans were less than thrilled with the outcome, with one person taking to X to write: “Hahahahaha you honestly can’t pretend this isn’t rigged.”

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While another commented: “Typical we get drawn against these lot.”

Despite their claims, no fans could offer any proof that the draw, which took place live on Sky Sports News, had actually been rigged.

Among the other fixtures drawn were Birmingham vs Sheffield United, Wrexham vs Hull City, Huddersfield Town vs Leicester City and Plymouth Argyle vs Queens Park Rangers.

Fixtures are currently scheduled for August 12 and 13.