Fans say ‘you can't pretend it isn't rigged' as Carabao Cup draw hands out play-off final repeat and huge derby
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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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The Carabao Cup first round draw has been made
Credit: PA
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.
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."
Another commented: "Typical we get drawn against these lot."
While a third simply wrote: "Rigged."
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