The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is reportedly considering three significant format changes to the Champions League, amid complaints from Arsenal about the current rules. According to reports, UEFA may change the rules to give teams that finish higher in the league phase home advantage for the return leg in the knockout stages.
Home Advantage
This season, the eight teams that qualified automatically for the knockout rounds played at home in the second leg in the last-16, but this is not the case for the quarter-finals or semi-finals. Arsenal, who finished third in the league phase, had to play the second leg of their quarter-final against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, despite finishing eight positions above the Spanish giants. Although they managed to progress 5-1 on aggregate, the Gunners are believed to be annoyed that they didn’t have the opportunity to play the second leg at home.
No More Extra Time?
Another change being considered is the removal of extra time. UEFA is understood to be looking into sending ties that finish all square straight to penalties to ease player workload. This move would likely be welcomed by players and coaches, who are already dealing with a congested fixture schedule.
Same Country Protection
The final alteration being considered concerns teams from the same country playing each other. This season’s Champions League saw several same-country ties, including PSG vs Brest and Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen. However, these ties are not viewed as attractive for fans and broadcasters, and UEFA could opt to bring back the protection rule that means teams from the same nation cannot play each other until the quarter-finals.
What’s Next?
The UEFA Club Competitions Committee is due to meet on May 30 to discuss these proposals. The meeting will take place in Munich, just one day before this season’s final at the Allianz Arena. If implemented, these changes would significantly alter the format of the Champions League and could have a major impact on the competition’s dynamics.
Conclusion
The potential changes to the Champions League format are significant, and UEFA’s decision will likely be influenced by feedback from clubs, players, and fans. With the competition continuing to evolve, it’s clear that UEFA is committed to making changes that will improve the Champions League and make it more attractive to fans around the world.
Source: Africa Publicity
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