Uefa plot major change to Champions League format after revamping group stages and scrapping away goals
UEFA are considering another major change to the Champions League after introducing a brand new format this season. European football‘s premier competition has already scrapped away goals and the traditional group stages in recent years. ReutersUefa are considering scrapping extra time in the Champions League knockout phase[/caption] Now execs at Uefa are discussing the idea of getting rid of extra time in the Champions League knockout stages. According to the Guardian, discussions are gathering speed over ditching extra time to help reduce the number of minutes played at top clubs. The change would see tied up Champions League knockout games head straight to penalties at full time. However, any changes are said to be unlikely midway through the current television rights cycle. That would mean the proposed changes wouldn’t be enforced until at least 2027. Managers and players have voiced concerns in recent years about the inflating number of matches and minutes played by the top clubs across Europe. Stars such as Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne have all been vocal about heavy fixture congestion. A change from Uefa would be the first step from European competition in reducing the hectic schedule. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Until now, domestic competitions have taken the brunt of the changes with the FA Cup controversially ditching replays. Whereas in Europe there has been the expansion of the Champions League with the new league phase meaning all teams now play a minimum of eight matches. While the new expanded Fifa Club World Cup means 12 top teams from around Europe will have even more fixtures this summer. Removing extra time could offer a small amount of respite to teams with busy schedules. However, only three Champions League ties from the last 16 went to extra time last season. And the season before (2022/23) saw no games go past the regulation 90 minutes. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.
UEFA are considering another major change to the Champions League after introducing a brand new format this season.
European football‘s premier competition has already scrapped away goals and the traditional group stages in recent years.
Now execs at Uefa are discussing the idea of getting rid of extra time in the Champions League knockout stages.
According to the Guardian, discussions are gathering speed over ditching extra time to help reduce the number of minutes played at top clubs.
The change would see tied up Champions League knockout games head straight to penalties at full time.
However, any changes are said to be unlikely midway through the current television rights cycle.
That would mean the proposed changes wouldn’t be enforced until at least 2027.
Managers and players have voiced concerns in recent years about the inflating number of matches and minutes played by the top clubs across Europe.
Stars such as Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne have all been vocal about heavy fixture congestion.
A change from Uefa would be the first step from European competition in reducing the hectic schedule.
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Until now, domestic competitions have taken the brunt of the changes with the FA Cup controversially ditching replays.
Whereas in Europe there has been the expansion of the Champions League with the new league phase meaning all teams now play a minimum of eight matches.
While the new expanded Fifa Club World Cup means 12 top teams from around Europe will have even more fixtures this summer.
Removing extra time could offer a small amount of respite to teams with busy schedules.
However, only three Champions League ties from the last 16 went to extra time last season.
And the season before (2022/23) saw no games go past the regulation 90 minutes.
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.
