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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.

Carabao Cup trophy.
PA

The Carabao Cup first round draw has been made[/caption]

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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