The English Football League is introducing a new system for penalty shoot-outs.

The ABBA system is already being trialled by UEFA and follows the same format as tennis tie-breaks. A team will now take the first kick, then the next team will take a pair of kicks and then they will alternate, for example AB BA AB BA and so on.

According to EFL chief Shaun Harvey, the old format of ABAB has the potential to provide the team who is taking the first kick with an advantage.

Harvey said: "We welcome innovation at the EFL and I am pleased to see that the EFL is able to play its part in an important development for football.

"IFAB have identified a theory that the current arrangements for penalty kicks potentially provide an unfair advantage to the team taking the first kick so we are keen to see if the new system has an impact on one of the most discussed issues in football.

"We all want football matches to be decided in a fair and consistent manner and I am sure the new system will add an interesting dynamic to the conclusion of matches in our competitions if required."

The trial will be implemented in the EFL Trophy (League Cup) and Checkatrade Cup - which is a competition amongst League One and League Two clubs, as well as a select number of Premier League and Championship U23 sides.