UEFA remove away goal rule from all club competitions in controversial move
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UEFA have decided to scrap the away goals rule from this upcoming season onwards in a controversial move.
The away goals rule is currently used to determine the winner of a two-legged knockout tie when the two teams involved had scored the same number of goals on aggregate over the two matches.
However, the new rule will see the return of two 15-minute periods of extra-time followed by a penalty shootout if a winner has not been decided.
“The away goals rule has been an intrinsic part of UEFA competitions since it was introduced in 1965," president Aleksander Ceferin said.
"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.”
The new rule will also see away goals removed from the criteria used to determine the rankings when two or more teams are equal on points in the group stage.
Fans will meet the news with joy, having long complained at the system which was deemed unfair.
Ceferin 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,“ the UEFA President concluded.
Chelsea won last season's Champions League, beating Premier League rivals Manchester City in Porto.
Fellow English club Manchester United lost in the Europa League final to Spanish side Villarreal.
- Champions League
- Europa League
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