Carabao Cup will no longer feature extra-time
Extra-time will no longer be played in the Carabao Cup from next season, with matches level at 90 minutes moving straight to a penalty shoot-out, the English Football League has announced.
The EFL, who organise the League Cup, announced on Friday that the penalty shoot-out format would revert to the traditional alternating kicks, rather than the ABBA format which was trialled in 2017-18.
VAR will also be used in all League Cup fixtures played at Premier League stadia next term, the EFL said.
After the decisions made at its summer conference, the EFL said: "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.
"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 regionalised, with north and south sections.
Meanwhile, the EFL has started a debate on the future format of the Checkatrade Trophy, featuring League One and League Two clubs.
Changes were made to "assist the revitalisation of a flagging competition" in 2016-17 and those amendments - inviting 16 category one teams - will continue next season.
After seeking feedback from clubs, the EFL executive will work on a formal proposal for season 2019-20 and beyond.
