August 1 – The so-called ‘ABBA’ format for penalty shootouts will be used in all English Football League competitions from this coming season.
Under the new tennis-style rule approved earlier this year by football’s lawmakers, after the first spot-kick has been taken by team A, team B has two, then team A has two and so on until there is a winner.
The system, similar to a tennis tiebreak and designed to reduce pressure on the team going second in the shootout, has already been used on a trial basis in some international tournaments by UEFA during the summer. It will be implemented in all EFL ties in the Carabao Cup, Checkatrade Trophy and EFL play-offs.
In a statement, EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “We welcome innovation at the EFL and I am pleased to see that the EFL is able to play its part in an important development for football.
“The International FA Board have identified a theory that the current arrangements for penalty kicks potentially provide an unfair advantage to the team taking the first kick so we are keen to see if the new system has an impact on one of the most discussed issues in football.
“We all want football matches to be decided in a fair and consistent manner and I am sure the new system will add an interesting dynamic to the conclusion of matches in our competitions if required.”
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