Uefa has confirmed that the away goals rule has been scrapped and will no longer apply in European club competitions from the start of the 2020-21 season.
Alexander Ceferin, Uefa’s president, stated that the decision to abolish the rule had been taken as a matter of “fairness”, suggesting that it had become outdated since its inception in 1965.
Previously in the knockout stages, the team that had more goals scored away from home progressed to the next round of a competition if the scoreline after two legs was tied.
It means that from next season, matches in the Champions League, Europa League and Uefa’s inaugural competition, the Europa Conference League, will be settled by different means.
From now on, if the scores are level at the end of two matches, there will be an additional 30 minute period of extra-time played followed by penalties if no further goals are scored.
Ceferin said: “The away goals rule has been an intrinsic part of Uefa competitions since it was introduced in 1965. However, the question of its abolition has been debated at various Uefa meetings over the last few years. Although there was no unanimity of views, many coaches, fans and other football stakeholders have questioned its fairness and have expressed a preference for the rule to be abolished.”
He added: “The impact of the rule now runs counter to its original purpose as, in fact, it now dissuades home teams – especially in first legs – from attacking, because they fear conceding a goal that would give their opponents a crucial advantage. There is also criticism of the unfairness, especially in extra time, of obliging the home team to score twice when the away team has scored.
“It is fair to say that home advantage is nowadays no longer as significant as it once was. Taking into consideration the consistency across Europe in terms of styles of play, and many different factors which have led to a decline in home advantage, the Uefa Executive Committee has taken the correct decision in adopting the view that it is no longer appropriate for an away goal to carry more weight than one scored at home.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3wVRE0u
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