The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced Thursday, June 24, the abolition, from this summer and in all its club competitions, of the advantage linked to away goals which served to decide between two teams tied after their home and away matches.
Introduced in 1965, this rule will be replaced by two periods of extension of fifteen minutes, then by possible penalties, “From the qualification phases” European competitions “Men, women and young people”.
The advantage of the away goal, which, for example, allowed Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) to eliminate Bayern Munich this season in the quarter-finals of the Champions League (2-3, 0- 1), no longer seemed justified, explains UEFA.
The authority notes, in fact, since “The mid-1970s”, a gradual reduction in the gap between home and away wins (from 61% against 19% to 47% against 30%), as well as the gap between goals scored at home and away at every game.
Equity in question
Among the causes mentioned, “The best quality and standardized size of the land”, “Increased security conditions, improved arbitration”, or the travel conditions “More comfortable”.
The abolition of this rule has therefore “Been debated at various UEFA meetings in recent years, underlines the president of the body, Aleksander Ceferin. Although there was no unanimity of views, many coaches, supporters and other players in football questioned its fairness ”.
The advantage of the away goal ended up “Go against its initial objective, since it now dissuades home teams from attacking – especially in the first leg – because they fear conceding a goal that would give their opponents a crucial advantage”, continues Mr. Ceferin.
Another grievance, according to the Slovenian leader, “The injustice, especially in extra time, of forcing the home team to score twice when the away team has scored a goal”.