Carabao Cup ball error sees Norwich avoid Manchester City

Clubs involved in the draw for the third round of the competition are usually numbered in alphabetical order, but the EFL has acknowledged that Norwich and Newcastle were assigned to the wrong balls.

City were 19 and Newcastle 20 but, alphabetically, should have been the other way around.

That drew the Canaries away to top-flight opposition, bogey team Fulham, and Newcastle at home against Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester City.

Norwich famously beat Manchester City 3-2 at Carrow Road in September 2019 in the Premier League (Image: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images)

Despite the blunder, the organisers say they are satisfied with the draw, which was carried out by ex-Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore and former England international Izzy Christiansen on Wednesday night.

All of the other teams involved were correctly numbered.

Canaries Trust chairman, Robin Sainty, said he would have preferred the tie against Manchester City, due to the TV money it would have brought in and the Canaries’ woeful away record against Fulham.

He said: “It’s very strange. I’m not a conspiracy theorist but you can see why people get suspicious about these things!

Robin Sainty, chairman of Canaries Trust (Image: Robin Sainty)

READ MORE: Popular city centre US-style deli on the market after seven years in business

“From a Norwich point of view, the home draw would’ve been better.

“I think Manchester City at home would’ve attracted more people than your usual Carabao Cup tie.

“It’s one of those things that happen, we’ve just got to deal with it, but it is strangely suspicious given Sky will love that tie.”

In a statement, the EFL confirmed the balls would not be redrawn.

A ball blunder has drawn the Canaries against Fulham rather than Manchester City (Image: EFL)

READ MORE: New sports centre’s pavilion increased in size with work about to begin

It read: “The numbers for the round three draw of the Carabao Cup were allocated and communicated in advance of the draw taking place and were drawn in line with the usual strict protocols and conditions.

“The league accepts that the list published was not in alphabetical order, however under cup rules, the draw does not require numbers to be allocated on that basis as is demonstrated by those teams who progressed on Wednesday night.  

“As a result, the EFL views the draw as completely valid with no impact to competition integrity.”

Norwich are due to travel to West London to face Fulham in the week starting September 25, between a trip to Plymouth and a home game against Birmingham in the  league.