UEFA consider changing away-goals rule and seeding system in Champions League

A number of managers from top clubs in Europe were in Nyon to attend UEFA’s two-day meeting

In UEFA’s two-day meeting in Nyon, attended by some of the best coaches in Europe, one of the main issues discussed was the concept of away goals and whether the rule should remain in the Champions League.

Many deem the current rule to be unproductive and unfair while others see it as an outdated rule to pick the winner in case the aggregate scores are tied.

The meeting was chaired by ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who said: “There was a bit of a debate about whether it has any significance today.

“Some think it is not as important as it used to be, and the attacking emphasis on the game today means more teams go away from home and win.

“If we go back, say, 30 years, counter-attacking consisted of one or maybe two, players. Today, counter-attacks have players flooding forward in fives or sixes and really positive, quick passing.“

Is the away-goals rule still ideal?

The away-goals rule was first introduced in the 1965-66 Cup Winners’ Cup.

The aim of the rule was to prevent teams from playing another playoff game to determine the winner and also do away with the coin toss (Eg. Liverpool advancing to the semi-final at the expense of FC Cologne in 1965 after the aggregate was 0-0).

Sir Alex continued to explain why it was an outdated method.

“What is helping is that the state of the pitches, pitches are fantastic nowadays, so coming out of defence with passes is much easier than it was 30 years ago, and you get a better attitude to counter-attack today than you did 30 years ago”

“From a personal point of view, when I was playing at home, I used to say to myself, don’t lose a goal.”

Will the current seeding system be changed?

It was earlier reported that UEFA would consider changing the seeding system to avoid top league champions from going into Pot 2 or and 3 facing each other in the group stages.

The current system looks at a club’s performance in the Champions League over the last five years before seeding them, leaving teams like Manchester City and Juventus in Pot 2.

The idea was to put the defending champions and league winners from the biggest leagues in Pot 1.

But Sir Alex didn’t think the seeding played a big role in the group stage draws, “I don’t necessarily think the seeding plays a great part.

“You take what you get and your performance is the most important thing.”

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