European football governing body UEFA have made a controversial and shocking move to alter the Champions League knockout format, MySportDab reports.
The UEFA Champions League has four knockout stages after the league phase – the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and then the final.
Teams in the knockout play two-legged fixtures against each other and progress to the next round. If the scores are tied after aggregate, the match is dragged into extra time and then to penalties to decide the winner.
Now, UEFA are set to make alterations to how the winners of the knockout matches should the match end in a draw.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the football governing body is set to chalk out extra time in the knockout phase.
This means if teams settle for an aggregate draw after their two-legged fixtures, there will be no extra time, but straight shootout penalties.
Notably, UEFA’s recent move will see the football governing house follow in the steps of renowned football confederations such as CONCACAF and CONMEBOL who have adopted the format in Copa America.
In Copa America knockouts which begin in the quarterfinal, there is no extra time time after 90 minutes. Both teams are dragged straight to penalties to decide the winner.
There are projections that more football governing bodies are likely to adopt the same format as it mitigates player burnout.
Also, there have been concerns over the schedule of UEFA Champions League knockout matches.
Some analysts believe teams with a superior finish in the league phase should play the second leg of their knockout matches at home.
This was raised when Arsenal was made to play Real Madrid away from home in their quarter-final second leg despite finishing above the European champions in the league phase standings.
