The European Football Association (UEFA) has confirmed that the rule of away goals in European football will be abolished from the start of next season.
The rule, followed since 1965, decided a tie in two matches by favoring the team that scored the most away goals.
All matches being equal on aggregate at the end of the second leg will instead go to extra time and possibly penalties.
“It is no longer appropriate for an away goal to have more weight,” UEFA president Alexander Ceferin said.
The proposal was submitted by UEFA’s Club Competitions Committee in May and it has now been approved by the body’s executive committee.
This means that matches in the Champions League, Europa League, Europa League and Women’s Champions League will no longer use this rule.
UEFA says there is now a smaller gap between the number of home and away wins as well as goals scored on and away in European competitions than when the rule was applied, reducing the ground advantage.
She says this is due to a number of factors including the quality of the stadium, improved stadium infrastructure and new technology such as video assistant referee (VAR).
Ceferin added: “The influence of the base now contradicts its original goal, because in fact it now discourages local teams – especially in the first leg – from attacking, because they are afraid of a goal net that gives their opponents a decisive advantage.” .
“There is also criticism of the unfairness, especially in extra time, of forcing the home team to score twice when the away team scores.
“It is fair to say that the home advantage is now not as important as it once was.”
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