UEFA to scrap away goals rule?

UEFA is poised to scrap the away goals rule that has caused so much heartbreak to so many clubs and national teams.

European soccer's governing body will discuss the issue informally at the next meeting of its technical committee.

The ruling came into effect in 1968-69 to encourage teams to be more attack-minded in away games. But modern observers believe that the ruling has reached its objective of eliminating defensive tactics from European club and national football.

UEFA's technical director and former Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh would not comment on an issue that has political ramifications in the light of FIFA president Sepp Blatter's recent controversial stand in favour of abolishing draws in the game.

Also, it is interesting to note that the March meeting of FIFA's law-making International Football Association Board did not discuss the away goals rule even though it discussed the golden/silver goals rule at length and even made a pronouncement.

A UEFA spokesman admitted the away-goals rule "had served its purpose well and helped to overcome the threat of stifling defensive displays in an era when that was the trend".

"But the game is in constant evolution and the time seems to have come to take another look at the rule's relevance in the context of today's game - without necessarily abandoning the device.

"UEFA is aware of the paramount need to keep the game and the various competitions constantly attractive and any discussion on the away-goals rule would take place with this in mind."

The validity of the rule came under the microscope in last week's Champions League semi-final tie between Chelsea and Monaco at Stamford Bridge.

Having lost the first match 3-1, Chelsea were leading the return leg 2-1 when Monaco striker Fernando Morientes made it 2-2 on the hour.

With away goals in operation, Chelsea needed three more goals to qualify and appeared to give up.

Both teams seemed to go through the motions in the last 30 minutes of a match that had been spellbinding up to Morientes's goal.

Without the away goals rule, the Londoners would have needed only two goals to take the match into extra-time. UEFA acted after receiving many letters on the topic, especially since the Champions League semi-finals.