What bribes/threats are being offered by the FA/FL this time?
Addressing the concerns around the full-strength team policy by improving the eligibility criteria for EFL teams
- Goalkeepers will not count towards the full-strength quota and only four qualifying outfield players will need to be named on team sheets
- A qualifying outfield player would be considered as any player who meets the same full strength criteria as 2016/17, is on loan from a Premier League or Category 1 club or has made 40 first team appearances (if this criteria was applied in 2016/17 only two fines would have been levied)
- Significant increase in prize money
- Regionalisation until the quarter-final stage (improved from 2nd Round in 2016/17) to minimise travel for clubs and fans
- Flexibility of fixture dates to allow teams to schedule games outside of international weeks
As a result of the discussion and subsequent debate, Clubs will now be asked to vote on the following:
- A revised format including 16 invited teams
- A return to the previous 48-team competition, exclusive to League One and Two
- Remove the competition from the fixture calendar
http://mobile.efl.com//news/article/2016/efl-statement-checkatrade-trophy-3670256.aspx