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Carabao Cup games to go straight to penalties after EFL removes extra-time

League Cup matches will go straight to penalties if the scores are level at the end of 90 minutes from the coming season, after clubs voted to remove extra time, the English Football League (EFL) said on Friday.

The EFL said the withdrawal of the extra 30 minutes of play would help ease the burden on players during midweek cup matches by reducing fatigue.

Penalty shootouts will revert to the traditional format in which teams alternate their spot-kicks, the ruling body said, after last season's competition trialled an ABBA forma where team A would take the first penalty, team B the second and third, team A the fourth and fifth and so on.

However, shootouts will revert to the traditional format in which teams alternate their spot-kicks, the ruling body said.

Clubs will also no longer receive seedings in the first two rounds of the tournament, while all League Cup fixtures at Premier League grounds will have Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.

The VAR system, which will be used at the World Cup in Russia, was trialled in one of the recent semifinals between Chelsea and Arsenal, and in the final when the Gunners faced Manchester City.

Also on Friday, the EFL said clubs are no longer required to produce a match programme. The decision was made after a number of clubs' request.

"Mandatory publication of a programme was required due to a number of the EFL's partnership, sponsorship and opt-in agreements," the EFL said.

"EFL clubs approved an amendment which allows clubs to opt out of providing advertising in match programmes on the basis it is replaced with other inventory.

"This amendment will mean that the requirement to deliver programme advertising in the EFL regulations will only apply if a match programme is produced.

"The amended regulation provides each club with the option to determine whether or not they publish a match programme."