With the dates and kick-off times agreed for all 12 Sky Bet EFL Play-Offs, League One and League Two Clubs are preparing for the introduction of Goal-line Technology into their stadiums, with the technology to be incorporated to Play-Off matches across all three divisions for the first time.
This year’s Semi-Finals will run from Thursday 10 May to Friday 18 May, with every game adopting Hawkeye technology while also being available to watch live on Sky Sports with no clashes of kick-off times for any of the fixtures.
The EFL committed to introduce the new technology at the Semi-Final stage following its successful use in previous Play-Off Finals staged at Wembley Stadium.
GLT will assist referees and their assistants in making crucial decisions where there is doubt as to whether or not the ball has crossed the line at all Play-Off matches across all three divisions following a successful introduction into the Sky Bet Championship at the start of the season.
The first leg between Charlton Athletic and Shrewsbury Town will kick-start the run of 12 live EFL games in nine days, with all Finals taking place at Wembley Stadium from Saturday 26 May through to Monday 28 May.
EFL Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said: “We are extremely aware of the difficult decisions facing match officials on any given match day, and we welcome the impact GLT is having to help PGMOL officials to make the right calls, even in the tightest of situations.
“Goal-line Technology has been a welcome and significant addition to the Championship throughout the 2017/18 season, playing an important role in the outcome of the campaign.
“It is therefore appropriate that the technology is incorporated into all Play-Off matches across all three divisions of the EFL given the magnitude of the outcome of every single game at this time of the season.”
Goal-line Technology has proven to be a popular and effective addition elsewhere in football, as well as other mainstream sports, as evidenced last Friday at the Amex Stadium as Brighton and Hove Albion ensured their Premier League safety after the technology was used to award Pascal Gross' winner against Manchester United.
PGMOL Managing Director, Mike Riley said: “This is a huge step forward for the EFL. Anything that can help match officials get to the correct decision has to be welcomed and we are pleased to see Goal-line Technology introduced for these crucial Play-Off matches.”
SKY BET EFL PLAY-OFFS
FIRST LEGS
Thursday 10th May – League One A (1st leg) – 7.45pm
Charlton Athletic v Shrewsbury Town
Friday 11th May – Championship A (1st leg) – 7.45pm
Derby County v Fulham
Saturday 12th May – League One B (1st leg) – 12.30pm
Scunthorpe United v Rotherham United
Saturday 12th May – League Two A (1st leg) – 3pm
Lincoln City v Exeter City
Saturday 12th May – Championship B (1st leg) - 5.15pm
Middlesbrough v Aston Villa
Saturday 12th May – League Two B (1st leg) – 7.30pm
Coventry City v Notts County
SECOND LEGS
Sunday 13th May – League One A (2nd leg) – 5.15pm
Shrewsbury Town v Charlton Athletic
Monday 14th May – Championship A (2nd leg) – 7.45pm
Fulham v Derby County
Tuesday 15th May – Championship B (2nd leg) – 7.45pm
Aston Villa v Middlesbrough
Wednesday 16th May – League One B (2nd leg) – 7.45pm
Rotherham United v Scunthorpe United
Thursday 17th May – League Two A (2nd leg) – 7.45pm
Exeter City v Lincoln City
Friday 18th May – League Two B (2nd leg) – 7.45pm
Notts County v Coventry City
FINALS
Saturday 26th May – Championship – 5.30pm
Sunday 27th May – League One – 3pm
Monday 28th May – League Two – 3pm