The Football League have confirmed that the first-round draw for the 2017/18 Carabao Cup (née League Cup) will be conducted this Friday… in Bangkok …in Thailand.
Thai energy drink pedlars Carabao signed a three-year deal to sponsor the cup back in November, and will kick things off with a chintzy event in their home capital.
🏆 #CarabaoCup: Round One draw
📅 Friday 16th June
🕐 1pm
📍 Bangkok, Thailand
📺 iFollow, Facebook, @SkySports>> https://t.co/BjHih38NOp. pic.twitter.com/GFT4EhLRsu
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) June 12, 2017
All 48 teams from Leagues One and Two will be in the post, as well as 22 of the 24 Championship sides. Hull City and Middlesbrough won’t be included as finishing 18th or 19th in the Premier League lands you a pass for the following season.
The EFL have also announced that the draw will by performed by Emmanuel Petit and Brian Davidson, who is the British ambassador to Thailand.
And to think they say the League Cup has lost its lustre.
Mind you, it’s not the first time the first-round draw has taken place on foreign soil – just ask Donald Trump.