Lausanne (AFP) – UEFA said on Thursday it will scrap the away goals rule for all of its club competitions from next season in favour of extra time and a penalty shootout.
Introduced in 1965, the rule was used to determine the winner of a two-legged knockout tie in cases where the two teams had scored the same number of goals on aggregate over the two matches.
From the 2021-2022 season, if the two teams score the same number of goals over the two legs, the tie will be decided by playing two 15-minute periods of extra time at the end of the second leg.
In the event that the teams score the same number of goals or fail to score at all during extra time, a penalty shootout will then be held to decide the winner.
Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League and Women’s Champions League matches will no longer use the away goals rule.
“It is no longer appropriate for an away goal to carry more weight,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
He said the away goals rule actually discouraged home teams from attacking, especially in the first leg.
“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,” Ceferin said in a statement.
“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.”
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Mercator
June 24, 2021 at 7:41 pm
I’m for this change as well. A goal is a goal, shouldn’t matter if you score it home or way over two legs. It always made it odd to figure out the real aggregate as well because most scoretickers don’t indicate how many away goals. Wish they would do golden goal for extra time though, would be more fun and would cut down on extra time which can only help the players.
Michael F
June 24, 2021 at 6:16 pm
I am for this rule change. Never cared for the away goal.
Both teams play on a pitch in two legs – once each in front of their home field fans. The goal count should be straight up after those two legs.
Why on earth would an away goal mean more in a two leg scenario, when it doesn’t mean more in a single match at any other time played anywhere?
Strategy of matches worked against both teams going all out for offensive play too, because the home team would consider defending more to avoid the cost of an away goal! It was lame. Happy to see it go.
Richard Clifford
June 24, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Keep the away goal rule! Don’t get rid of it!
Marc
June 24, 2021 at 12:38 pm
Up yours UEFA. I like the away goal rule. But I thought it shouldn’t be valid during extra time. Bring back the foreign player rule.