UEFA considering scrapping extra-time in Champions League knockout rounds: Report

Earlier UEFA also removed the away goals rule.

UEFA is moving quickly to eliminate extra time from Champions League knockout stages as a new measure to cut down on the amount of time elite clubs play, report suggests.

It is thought that the idea of sending teams directly to penalties in UEFA’s club competitions is being seriously considered.

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— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 4, 2025

Stakeholders in European football have long argued over extra time, with some players’ unions vehemently claiming that doing away with it would relieve pressure on an overbooked schedule. While 12 European teams are competing in an extended Fifa Club World Cup in the US this summer, the Champions League’s expanded group stage, which requires each side to play at least eight games, hasn’t exactly helped things.

Most of the adjustments made for elite clubs for growing fixtures have resulted in the controversial shelving of FA Cup replays in England.

The issues brought on by late-season fixture congestion could be somewhat mitigated by removing the extra half hour from two-legged matches. It might also be well-liked by teams that go through the taxing qualifying rounds in July and August.

A fairer playing game would be perceived by underdogs who sense the tempo of an extended time against teams with better-stocked rosters. Broadcasters who would be less concerned about an unforeseen disruption to their schedules and who could enjoy the chance to jump right into the shorter-form drama of spot-kicks might also find it appealing.

Only three Champions League matches from the Round of 16 onwards went into extra time last season, and none of them needed more time in 2022–2023. In the 2023–24 Europa League, four matches lasted the extra-time, compared to six the previous season.

UEFA’s position at the time was that no firm suggestion had been put up, and the matter had only been brought up informally. Uefa’s executive committee, which last made a significant alteration to the content of club competition matches in 2021 when the away goals system was abolished, would need to approve any changes.

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