Ok, you got us! The story below ran on the official website yesterday regarding extendable goals being brought in for Capital One Cup ties next season was indeed an April Fools joke!
Please see below for the full story - did it catch you out?!
Cagey periods of Extra Time are set to become a thing of the past, thanks to a brand new innovation between The Football League and Capital One, sponsors of The League Cup.
From the start of next season, Capital One Cup matches will feature extendable goalposts, which will increase in size when two teams are level after 90 minutes. It is hoped the move will help to encourage even more attacking football during Extra Time to avoid the threat of an impending penalty shoot-out.
Under the new competition rules, the goal posts will be extended by 50% immediately after the full time whistle. If no goal has been scored after the first period of extra time, then they will be extended further until double the original size.
Football League bosses moved to implement the new goalposts for next season, following a request from competition sponsors Capital One to consider the idea. Executives at the credit card company had glowing praise for the first season of the Capital One Cup, but suggested the competition should try to avoid a tie at all costs.
The Bantams' Matt Duke, who faced more periods of Extra-Time than any other player last year, was the first goalkeeper to try out the new goals. “Personally I think it’s a shame, every goalkeeper loves the chance to win a penalty shoot-out, and after this year’s Capital One Cup I had a taste for more next season.”
A Football League spokesman said: “We feel this is a really exciting innovation, and are delighted to be able to make this happen in the Capital One Cup next season. The competition made its name this year on the back of some extraordinary goal filled matches, and this looks set to continue.”
” Michael Woodburn of Capital One said: “Despite witnessing record goal scoring matches in the Capital One Cup last season, we want to see even more goals next year. We look forward to seeing the new goal posts in operation during Round 1 in August.