Godwin ObajeUEFA Considering Champions League Rule Changes
The UEFA Champions League has undergone a significant format change this season, and the governing body is already considering further tweaks. According to reports, three major rule changes are being discussed, which could impact Celtic and Rangers in future competitions.
Potential Rule Changes
The proposed changes include:
- Abolishing Extra Time: One potential change is to scrap extra time in knockout rounds and go straight to a penalty shootout in the event of a draw. This would mean that teams would no longer play additional 30 minutes of football, and the winner would be determined directly from the spot.
- Home Advantage: Another consideration is to reward teams that finish in the top eight of the league phase with home advantage in the second leg of knockout matches, potentially extending to quarterfinals and semifinals. This could give top teams a significant advantage in the competition.
- Country Protection: The third potential change is the reintroduction of country protection, where teams from the same league are protected from meeting each other until the quarterfinal stage. This could impact the chances of teams like Celtic and Rangers facing each other in the competition.
Impact on Celtic and Rangers
These potential rule changes could have significant implications for Celtic and Rangers, particularly if they are looking to progress in the competition. Celtic’s successful debut campaign in the new format was marked by a narrow defeat to Bayern Munich in the knockout stage, while Rangers lost out in the qualifying stages to Dynamo Kiev.
Conclusion
The potential rule changes being considered by UEFA could have a significant impact on the Champions League competition. As the governing body looks to refine the format, teams like Celtic and Rangers will be watching closely to see how these changes might affect their chances in future competitions.
Godwin Obaje
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