Uefa to scrap away goal advantage rule from 2021/22

Sports Desk, Jun 24 (EFE).- Uefa is to scrap the away goal rule from all of its competitions for the 2021/22 season and replace it with extra time or penalties.

The European football body on Thursday said the away goal rule, in place since 1965, was becoming less necessary over time with the gradual reduction of the home advantage in a football match.

Uefa President Aleksander 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.”

The rule change will apply to Uefa competitions for men, women and youth categories.

The away goal rule was set-up to decide the winner in case two teams scored the same amount of goals across two legs, one home, one away.

If both teams scored the same amount of goals, both home and away, or none at all, then the result would be settled with extra time or, failing that, penalties.

Uefa said statistics collected from the mid-1970s showed a clear reduction in the home advantage.