Lots of changes this season, and not everyone likes them
1. The Football League changed it's name to EFL, which, meh. The change was probably made to make it sound more like EPL.
2. Johnstone's Paint Trophy is now EFL Trophy since there's no sponsor. Teams in Leagues 1 and 2 voted to allow 16 academy teams from select Premier and Championship clubs to be added to the now EFL Trophy. The EFL Trophy has pretty low attendance so adding academies was seen as a way to boost attendance. The voting was based on these being U-21 teams, but now EFL is saying that it will be U-23 teams and include 4 over-age players (like the Olympics). League 1&2 teams are not exactly happy about this The plans are coming out in fits and starts and the season starts next month. Many fans also view it as a precursor to B-teams like in Spain. More here: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36530076 http://www.espnfc.com/efl-trophy/story/2904442/fans-unhappy-over-under-23-team-plans-for-efl-trophy
The format for EFL trophy proposed is 64 teams in 16 four-team groups (previously it was 48 team knockout), each group having an academy team. After that it's 32 teams in knockout form. They might add PKs to the group stage for an added point, they haven't decided if there will be extra time in the knockout rounds, but if they do they will have a fourth substitution. A lot is up in the air with not a ton of time before the tourney starts
3. As was discussed in this thread, the proposal to add a League 3 in 2018, and making the top 5 divisions 20 teams each.
1. The Football League changed it's name to EFL, which, meh. The change was probably made to make it sound more like EPL.
2. Johnstone's Paint Trophy is now EFL Trophy since there's no sponsor. Teams in Leagues 1 and 2 voted to allow 16 academy teams from select Premier and Championship clubs to be added to the now EFL Trophy. The EFL Trophy has pretty low attendance so adding academies was seen as a way to boost attendance. The voting was based on these being U-21 teams, but now EFL is saying that it will be U-23 teams and include 4 over-age players (like the Olympics). League 1&2 teams are not exactly happy about this The plans are coming out in fits and starts and the season starts next month. Many fans also view it as a precursor to B-teams like in Spain. More here: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36530076 http://www.espnfc.com/efl-trophy/story/2904442/fans-unhappy-over-under-23-team-plans-for-efl-trophy
The format for EFL trophy proposed is 64 teams in 16 four-team groups (previously it was 48 team knockout), each group having an academy team. After that it's 32 teams in knockout form. They might add PKs to the group stage for an added point, they haven't decided if there will be extra time in the knockout rounds, but if they do they will have a fourth substitution. A lot is up in the air with not a ton of time before the tourney starts
3. As was discussed in this thread, the proposal to add a League 3 in 2018, and making the top 5 divisions 20 teams each.
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