English FA effects major changes on extra-time, penalty shootouts, VAR from next season

The English FA has announced that there will no longer be extra-time in the Carabao Cup as from next season, as matches leveled at 90 minutes will now be going straight to a penalty shootout.

Sky Sports reports that English Football League (EFL), who are the organisers of the League Cup have also announced that the penalty shootout format would revert to the traditional alternating kicks, rather than the ABBA format which was tried in 2017-18.

EFL also announced that the Video Assistance Referee, VAR, will also be used in all League Cup fixtures played at Premier League stadiums next term.

“The rationale put forward by the EFL is that withdrawing the additional 30 minutes of play would directly address any additional fatigue issues that are occasionally caused when the midweek ties go beyond the traditional 90-minute period,” the EFL said.

“A statistical analysis was presented that demonstrated how almost 85 per cent of matches ended in normal time over a three-year period, without the additional period being required and as a result clubs have supported the new approach.”

Seeding arrangements for rounds one and two of the competition will be removed, while round one will remain regionalized with north and south sections.

Premier League champions, Manchester City won last season’s Carabao Cup after defeating Arsenal 3-0 in the final.

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