Uefa chief Ceferin hails ‘correct decision’ as away goals rule is scrapped from European club football
European football is breaking with more than 50 years of tradition and scrapping the away goals rule.
Uefa has used the away goals rule to separate teams who finished level after a two-legged tie since 1965.
Instead, from next season Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League ties that finish level will go straight to extra time and, if necessary, penalties.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin admitted there was “no unanimity of views” on the matter but called the move “the correct decision”.
The governing body cited the gradual reduction of home advantage and the rule’s negative effect on attacking football as reasons for scrapping it from all men’s, women’s and youth competitions.
Since the mid-1970s, home win rates in men’s European football have reduced from 61 per cent to 47 per cent, Uefa said.
“The impact of the rule now runs counter to its original purpose,” added Ceferin.
“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.
“Taking into consideration the consistency across Europe in terms of styles of play, and many different factors which have led to a decline in home advantage, the Uefa executive committee has taken the correct decision in adopting the view that it is no longer appropriate for an away goal to carry more weight than one scored at home.”
The away goals rule remains in place in other competitions, including two-legged World Cup qualifying play-offs and continental club games in Asia, South America and Central America.