UEFA confirm that away goals rule will be removed from 2021/22 season

While many managers and players, including former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, advocating for the removal of the away goals rule, UFEA never made a change. But with the criticism and hatred over the rule, that was introduced during the 1965/66 season, especially since it restricts the side playing at home, things have changed. That is especially as football has changed with home advantage losing it’s stature.

“With the decision to remove this rule, ties in which the two teams score the same number of goals over the two legs would be not decided on the number of goals scored away, but two 15-minute periods of extra time are played at the end of the second leg and in case the teams score the same number of goals or no goals during this extra time, kicks from the penalty mark would determine the team which qualifies to the next stage of the competition.

“The away goals rule has been an intrinsic part of UEFA competitions since it was introduced in 1965. However, the question of its abolition has been debated at various UEFA meetings over the last few years. Although there was no unanimity of views, many coaches, fans and other football stakeholders have questioned its fairness and have expressed a preference for the rule to be abolished,” Ceferin told UEFA.com.

“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. 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," he added.