JUNIOR Tchamadeu has used them plenty of times to help with his long throws.

But the Colchester United youngster and his team-mates will now no longer be able to use towels to dry footballs during games next season, following EFL rule changes.

The EFL have announced that clubs will not be permitted to use towels or other articles, including items obtained from spectators to dry footballs during matches.

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It is one of several EFL regulations to come into effect immediately, after EFL clubs voted to approve a number of changes at today’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Gazette:

The EFL will also introduce a multiball system in all its competitions for the 2023/24 season.

Match balls will be placed on cones in designated areas at pitch side to help increase the time of the ball being in play.

To better align with the Club Financial Reporting Unit’s reporting practices, clubs in League One and League Two will now be required to submit their Future Financial Information (FFI) by April 30 rather than March 31, each year.

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There have also been new disqualifying conditions added to the Owners and Directors’ Test (OADT) to ensure that the EFL and Premier League’s tests remain aligned, while clubs will now be required to report any HMRC-related defaults within two working days.

The fixture list for the 2022-23 League Two season will be released on Thursday, June 22, ahead of the big kick-off, on August 5.