All English Football League (EFL) competitions will be using the “ABBA’ format of penalty shootouts for the upcoming 2017/2018 season.

The system has a format slightly different from the normal pattern of penalty shootouts as known previously.

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The previous format meant Team will take the first penalty, Team B takes the second, then Team A retakes, hence the “ABAB” format.

However, the current “ABBA” format is meant to ease the pressure on the team that takes the second kick, with each team now having equal pressure on their shoulders.

The adopted format will see Team A take the first kick, then Team B follows with two successive kicks, before Team A again takes another kick – hence “ABBA”.

A statement from EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey confirmed that its competitions will adopt the new “ABBA” format: "Wewelcomeinnovation at theEFLand I am pleasedtoseethattheEFLisabletoplayitspart in an important developmentforfootball.

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"IFABhaveidentified a theorythatthecurrentarrangementsforpenaltykickspotentiallyprovide an unfair advantagetotheteamtakingthefirst kick so wearekeentoseeifthe new system has an impact on one of the most discussedissues in football.”

The decision means that the “ABBA” format of penalty shootouts will be trialed in all EFL competitions for the 2017/18 season, including the EFL Cup, FA Cup, playoffs, the Carabao Cup and the Checkatrade Trophy