UEFA May Remove Extra Time in Knockouts

UEFA Considers Scrapping Extra Time in European Competitions – A Major Shake-Up? ⚽⏱️

Football’s governing body in Europe, UEFA, is considering a major rule change that could reshape how Champions League and Europa League knockout matches are decided. The proposal being discussed would see matches go straight to penalty shootouts if the scores are level after 90 minutes, effectively removing extra time from the equation.

While this idea is still in its early stages, it could significantly impact player fatigue, broadcasters, and fans’ experience. But is it the right move for European football? Let’s dive into the details of this potential rule change.

🔍 Why UEFA Is Considering Removing Extra Time?

1️⃣ Reducing Player Fatigue & Injury Risk 🏃‍♂️💨

Modern football is faster and more physically demanding than ever, with clubs competing in multiple competitions across domestic and international levels. Extra time adds 30 additional minutes to already intense games, increasing the risk of:

Muscle injuries from fatigue

Reduced performance levels in later matches

Increased stress on key players who already play over 50 games per season

By scrapping extra time, UEFA aims to protect players from excessive fatigue, ensuring better performance throughout the season.

2️⃣ Faster, More Thrilling Knockout Matches ⚡

Extra time often sees teams playing cautiously, trying to avoid mistakes rather than pushing for goals. This can lead to dull, defensive play, especially when players are exhausted.

By going directly to penalty shootouts, UEFA could introduce a high-stakes, must-win scenario after 90 minutes, making games more exciting for fans and increasing engagement.

3️⃣ Aligning with Other Competitions 📅

Many domestic cup competitions, including the English FA Cup (from the third round onwards) and the Carabao Cup, have already removed extra time in favor of direct penalty shootouts.

This move would bring UEFA competitions in line with those tournaments, creating a consistent approach across European football.

📊 Extra Time Trends in Recent UEFA Competitions

Before making a final decision, UEFA is analyzing how often extra time is actually needed. Recent stats show that extra time has become increasingly rare in European competitions:

🔹 2023-24 Champions League: Only 3 knockout ties required extra time

🔹 2022-23 Champions League: No matches went beyond 90 minutes

🔹 2023-24 Europa League: 4 games reached extra time, down from 6 in the previous season

With fewer matches requiring extra time, UEFA may feel its removal wouldn’t have a massive impact on competition fairness.

📺 How Would This Benefit Broadcasters & Sponsors?

Football broadcasting is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and scheduling unpredictable extra time poses problems for TV networks.

🎥 Advantages of Direct Penalty Shootouts:

✅ Fixed match durations (90 minutes + penalties) – easier for broadcasters

✅ More drama & engagement – penalty shootouts attract higher viewership

✅ Better ad placements & scheduling – broadcasters can plan content without risking delays

Sponsors also benefit, as penalty shootouts often generate viral moments and increase social media engagement, making matches more marketable.

🎯 Potential Benefits of Removing Extra Time

🏃‍♂️ Better Player Welfare – Reduces fatigue, injuries & allows players to maintain peak performance

🔥 More Exciting Matches – Avoids slow, defensive extra time play and moves straight to intense shootouts

📅 Consistent Scheduling – Helps broadcasters & organizers avoid lengthy, unpredictable games

⚖️ Fairer Competition – Ensures all teams have an equal chance without added fatigue affecting results

🤔 What Are the Possible Downsides?

While the proposal has potential benefits, there are also concerns:

🔴 Lack of a Proper "Tiebreaker" Phase – Some argue that extra time is needed to separate teams fairly before the randomness of a penalty shootout.

🔴 Historical Significance – Iconic moments like Iniesta’s 2010 World Cup-winning goal or Mbappé’s hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final happened in extra time. Removing it could take away potential legendary moments.

🔴 Impact on Defensive Teams – Some teams play defensive football, hoping to hold out in extra time. Without this phase, they might struggle in penalty shootouts.

🗣️ What UEFA Officials Are Saying

UEFA hasn’t officially proposed the change yet but acknowledges that discussions are ongoing.

💬 UEFA Spokesperson:

"The idea has been raised informally, but no formal decision has been made. Any changes would require approval from the UEFA Executive Committee."

UEFA’s last major rule change came in 2021, when they abolished the away goals rule, significantly altering European knockout ties. If extra time is scrapped, it could be another step in UEFA’s modernization of football.

📅 When Could This Change Happen?

If UEFA moves forward with this idea, the earliest implementation would likely be the 2025-26 season.

Steps Needed for Approval:

✅ Internal UEFA discussions – Ongoing

✅ Formal proposal submission – Expected in mid-2025

✅ UEFA Executive Committee vote – Late 2025

✅ Implementation (if approved) – 2025-26 Champions League & Europa League

🌍 How Would This Affect Other Competitions?

If UEFA removes extra time, other football governing bodies may follow suit:

FIFA could apply the rule to the World Cup

Domestic leagues & cups (e.g., FA Cup, Copa del Rey) might reconsider their formats

Lower-tier European competitions like the Conference League would align with the change

This decision could reshape the global football landscape if widely adopted.

🧐 Final Verdict – Good or Bad for Football?

✅ Pros:

Reduces player fatigue & injuries

Creates faster, more exciting knockouts

Makes TV scheduling easier

Increases fan engagement through penalties

❌ Cons:

Removes legendary extra-time moments

Could feel unfair for defensively strong teams

Shifts pressure entirely to penalty shootouts

While UEFA hasn’t made a final decision, the discussion reflects their ongoing efforts to modernize football. If approved, this rule change could make European competitions even more unpredictable and thrilling! ⚽🔥

📢 What Do You Think?

Do you support UEFA’s idea of scrapping extra time? Would penalty shootouts after 90 minutes make games more exciting or remove an important part of football history?

Drop your thoughts in the comments & let’s discuss! 🗣️👇

#️⃣ #UEFA #ChampionsLeague #EuropaLeague #FootballChanges #PenaltyShootouts #ExtraTimeDebate