The format of the '16-17 English Football League Trophy, which will include 15 Premier League academy sides, has been confirmed, according to the BBC. League One and League Two clubs "will play alongside invited Category One academies." League Championship side Newcastle United's academy team has also been invited. The 16 groups of four teams will each comprise an academy side with the top two from each qualifying for the first knockout round of 32 teams. Known last season as the Football League Trophy and sponsored by Johnstone's Paint, "the competition has been rebranded for this season along with the Football League as a whole" (BBC, 7/6). The PA reported EFL CEO Shaun Harvey "has defended the controversial format change for the EFL Trophy," insisting inviting Premier League clubs to take part will "rejuvenate" the competition and help develop domestic talent. Sixteen top-category academy sides have been asked to join the 48 clubs from Leagues One and Two. The tournament "is currently without a sponsor." In a move that has "already attracted criticism from clubs and fans worried about the possible introduction of Premier League B teams into the EFL," those invited clubs will be able to field five players older than 21. Harvey: "The new format is intended to rejuvenate this competition and also assist the development of the very best young players in English football. This will help us deliver more and better home-grown players which will deliver benefits to the national team and domestic league football at all levels" (PA, 7/6). In London, Simon Jones reported the 16 groups are made up of four teams -- one of the invited clubs plus at least one club from both League One and League Two -- with the top two sides qualifying for the knockout stages. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and an "additional point is up for grabs in games that finish level with penalty shoot-outs to take place." The new-look competition will also have an enhanced prize fund with an expected £1.95M ($2.52M) being up for grabs, including £10,000 ($12,900) per win and £5,000 ($6,500) per draw during the group stage and £100,000 ($129,300) for the eventual winner (DAILY MAIL, 7/6).
