UEFA actively considering a dramatic rule change to Champions League format, Potentially eliminate extra time from knockout-round matches. This proposed change, reported by The custodianaims to deal with growing concerns about fixture for elite players, a problem that is aggravated by the latest expansion of the tournament and the introduction of the renewed club’s World Cup. The large volume of matches required by top players becomes unsustainable.
This season’s Champions League introduced a controversial new league phase and replaced the traditional group phase. This change adds two match days, which required teams to play eight matches against eight different opponents in the first round. Although it is still early to assess the full consequences, the increased workload already causes concern among players and managers.
The expansion in combination with the recently restructured Club -World Cupthat will contain 12 European teams this year, increases the total number of fixtures that top players are significantly. This outstanding level of fixture caused UEFA to explore radical solutions to relieve the load on the players’ physical and mental well -being.
Eliminate extra time: a bold suggestion
To mitigate fixture, UEFA is seriously investigating the opportunity to remove extra time from the Champions League -kockout matches. Instead of the traditional 30-minute extra time period after a draw, matches would proceed directly to a penalty If the score remains tied after two legs on the regulation period. This bold proposal, if it were to be adopted, would represent one of the most significant rule changes in the Champions League history.
The current TV rights cycle for the Champions League extends until 2027, which makes it very unlikely that any such rule change would be implemented before the 2027/28 season. However, The opportunity has not been completely excluded. This potential adjustment follows previous movements to address fixture, such as removal of reprints in domestic Cup competitions such as FA Cup.
Eliminating extra time from the Champions League would be a significant step, Comparable in the influence of the removal of the distance rule in 2021. It would build on the decision that was made in 2023 to eliminate the extra 30 minutes from the UEFA Super Cup.
The potential for such significant change reflects UEFA’s concerns about the player’s welfare and the escalating requirements of the modern football calendar. The organization clearly seeks a balance between maintaining the competition’s tension and ensuring the participants’ long -term health.
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