I sort of see the logic. Sort of.
Imagine Sergio Aguero got sent off and banned for three games.
Two weeks later there is a Checkatrade game against a L2 team.
Manager uses that game to keep Sergio sharp.
So the L2 team comes up against one of the world's best players.
Fair on them?
I'd have thought that every single team in the lower leagues would love it if the likes of Sergio Aguero were playing against them!
Might make the games more worth watching and bring in some crowds.
Besides, even if we accept that argument - the competition has already firmly established that it's one rule for the Premiership teams, one rule for the lower league teams. Why can't otherwise banned lower league players play? Would it have been unfair on Fulham to have had to face James Hanson?
The EFL is a dumb organisation that makes dumb decisions, especially with regards the Carabao Cup. But this one is the most illogical and non-sensical of the lot......