The away goals rule in European club football is to be abolished from the start of next season, governing body Uefa has confirmed.
The rule, used since 1965, decided drawn two-legged games by favouring the team that scored the most away goals.
All ties level on aggregate at the end of the second leg will instead go to extra time and potentially penalties.
"It is no longer appropriate for an away goal to carry more weight," said Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.
Uefa's club competitions committee made the proposal in May and it has now been approved by the body's executive committee.
It means games in the Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League and Women's Champions League will no longer use the rule.
Uefa says there is now a smaller gap between the number of home and away wins as well as home and away goals scored in European competitions compared to when the rule was introduced, reducing home advantage.
It says that is down to a number of factors including pitch quality, improved stadium infrastructure and new technology such as the video assistant referee.
"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," Ceferin added.
"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 now no longer as significant as it once was."
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Posted
24/06/2021 at
20:17:45
Always thought this rule favoured the team playing at home first. I know it's all ifs and buts, but a 0-0 draw at home means you knew a 1-1 draw would get you through to the next round. Then again, a score draw in the first leg meant the team at home in the second leg could “Park the busâ€.
Also, in the second leg, if the aggregate score after 90 minutes was level, then the away team only needs, in theory anyway, to score one in extra time knowing the home team would then need to score two.
Anyway, it's a stupid rule and about time it was scrapped!
Posted
24/06/2021 at
22:02:05
Nice.
Yet another concession to perennial CL clubs.
"dissuades home teams - especially in first legs - from attacking, because they fear conceding a goal that would give their opponents a crucial advantage,"
Is that so?
Can't recollect Bayern Munich, Barca, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United "dissuaded" from attacking when the 1st leg was at home.
For clubs with an attack, but the manager prefers to play defensively due to the away goal rule? That isn't strategy. That's a weak manager and the club needs to fire him.
For the clubs with little attack? They're going to play defensively away goal rule or not.
As for this gem, "It is fair to say that home advantage is now no longer as significant as it once was."
Against the big boys? It never was. This rule change just made it easier for them.
1 Posted 24/06/2021 at 19:54:21