The EFL has been criticised for scheduling the Carabao Cup third-round draw at 4.15am BST on Thursday, with the Football Supporters’ Federation saying the decision to hold it in Beijing will “increase the sense of disconnection many domestic fans feel”.

The league strongly defended its plan to begin proceedings at around 11.15am local time in Beijing as the draw for the competition courted controversy for a third successive round. Problems have dogged the previous two draws.

The third round marks the entry of the seven Premier League clubs engaged in European competition and fans wanting to follow the draw must do so via the EFL’s Carabao Cup Twitter feed.

A spokesman for the FSF said: “In our 2017 national supporters’ survey fans expressed increasing frustration at instances of overseas audiences apparently being prioritised over domestic supporters. Holding the draw in Beijing at that time can only increase the sense of disconnection many domestic fans feel.”

The second-round matches take place on Tuesday and Wednesday and 32 clubs will be involved in the draw on Thursday including the holders, Manchester United.

The first-round draw, held in Thailand where the maker of the Carabao energy drink is based, descended into farce as Charlton Athletic were shown to be playing twice and other clubs were given the wrong opponents in an on‑screen graphic.

There were problems also in the second-round draw with a number of clubs in the southern section, including Norwich, Charlton, Brentford and Watford, tweeting about their confusion regarding whether they were at home or away.

An EFL spokesman said: “We understand not everyone will agree on the timing of this week’s round‑three draw, but in staging in this way it will give the competition both the maximum exposure in the UK, Chinese and south-east Asian markets.

“This is not only an important factor for the EFL but also our new sponsors Carabao who, like ourselves, plan to use the growing global appeal of the competition to reach new audiences.

“Once the logistics have been completed in Beijing, the UK will be waking up and the breakfast media will be able to report and get reaction on the 16 ties that will take place next month, which we feel is an interesting move away from the usual post-game evening draws.

“The round three draw itself is not being televised live in China or anywhere else but the EFL will be providing full coverage across its Carabao Cup Twitter feed, with news and reaction as it happens.

“Our decision to go to China is part of a strategic plan to grow the EFL internationally and specifically boost profile and exposure in Asian markets.

“A number of potentially significant meetings are being held around the draw that we envisage will deliver a benefit to all 72 clubs of the EFL.

“As part of those meetings the EFL will stage its first summit in Asia, where potential sponsors and investors from the region will gather to be briefed on the wider opportunities the EFL can provide. This will include the showcasing of the new iFollow international streaming platform which successfully launched at the start of the season.

“We now look forward to this work developing over the course of the next few days and taking further shape in the coming weeks and months.”