New 'ABBA' penalty system to be trialled at Arsenal vs Chelsea Community Shield clash

Trial | The 'ABBA' penalty system will be used at Wembley
AFP/Getty Images
Vaishali Bhardwaj3 August 2017

Arsenal and Chelsea fans could see a new penalty format decide the Community Shield this Sunday after the FA confirmed the use of the 'ABBA' shootout system at Wembley.

The English governing body said on Thursday that the 'ABBA' system will be trialled at the Community Shield clash between London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea this weekend should the game end level after 90 minutes.

'ABBA' is based on the format used in tennis tie-breaks whereby a team takes the first kick before alternating pair of kicks are taken, for example, AB BA AB instead of AB AB AB. It aims to eliminate the advantage the first kick-taker gets.

The 'ABBA' format for spot-kicks will apply to the Carabao Cup, Checkatrade Trophy and the play-offs.

Speaking about the decision to use the 'ABBA' system on Sunday, the FA said in a statement: "The FA has today announced that a different order of kicks for Kicks from the Penalty Mark (KFPM) will be trialled at Sunday's FA Community Shield supported by McDonald's - the first time the new format will be used competitively in the country.

"The new format will be used across all English Football League tournaments from this season but the first chance to see the system at work could now come this weekend at Wembley."

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