Carabao Cup final pushed back until end of April in bid to have fans at Wembley showpiece
THE CARABAO CUP final has been moved from February 28 to Sunday April 25, 2021.
The EFL have made the decision in a bid to have as many fans as possible attend the Wembley showdown which will kick off at 4pm.
In a statement, the EFL said: "This season’s Carabao Cup final has been rescheduled and will now take place on Sunday 25 April 2021, with a 4pm kick-off.
"It is the objective of the League to stage the final with as many supporters in attendance as possible.
"And the decision has therefore been taken to move the final from its original date of Sunday February 28, 2021 to later in the year.
"The number of fans permitted will be dependent on Government guidance in place at the time.
"And it is hoped that moving the date to later in the year will give clubs and their fans the best opportunity to attend in person.
"The competition is set to continue this week, with the quarter-finals to be played across Tuesday December 22 and Wednesday December 23, with all four games live on Sky Sports."
Just 2,000 fans are currently allowed to attend matches in Tiers One and Two.
But teams in Tiers three and four - which London and large parts of the South East were plunged into at the weekend - must play behind closed doors.
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Many clubs - including current holders Manchester City - had pushed for this season's competition to be axed to make space in the crowded fixture schedule.
The first round fixtures began on August 29.
But such ideas were quashed and the quarter-finals will take place this Tuesday and Wednesday.
Brentford host Newcastle while Man City travel to Arsenal on Tuesday.
Before Stoke play Tottenham at home and Manchester United meet Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.