SPFL is Underrated?- Possible Celtic & Rangers implications as UEFA ‘discuss three shock rule changes’

UEFA Rule Changes: A New Era for the Champions League?

The UEFA Champions League is on the cusp of a revolution, with officials discussing three potential rule changes that could shake up the competition. According to reports, the governing body is considering abolishing extra time, introducing a return leg advantage, and implementing the “country protection” rule.

Abolishing Extra Time

One potential change is to scrap extra time in knockout matches, instead going straight to penalties to determine the winner. This would mark a significant departure from the current format, where teams play an additional 30 minutes of football to try and break the deadlock.

Return Leg Advantage

Another proposal is to award teams a return leg advantage in the knockout phase, based on their league phase ranking. This would mean that higher-ranked teams would get to play the second leg of knockout ties at home, potentially giving them a significant advantage.

Country Protection

The third potential change is the reintroduction of the “country protection” rule, which would prevent teams from the same nation from meeting each other until at least the quarterfinal stage. This would be a return to previous guidelines, which were designed to create more diverse and exciting matchups.

Impact on Celtic and Rangers

These potential rule changes could have significant implications for Celtic and Rangers, both of whom will be competing in the Champions League qualifying rounds next season. Celtic will enter the play-off round, while Rangers will start in the second qualifying round.

Conclusion

The proposed rule changes are set to be discussed by the UEFA Executive Committee, and if agreed, could be implemented as early as next season. The potential changes have sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some arguing that they would add an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the competition. Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain – the Champions League is on the verge of a significant transformation.