Europe's top club coaches "have been contemplating whether the away goals rule should remain in force in the Champions League and Europa League," according to Ed Osmond of REUTERS. The rule was introduced nearly 50 years ago when playing away in Europe was a novelty, but critics say that "it has now become counter-productive, unnecessary and unfair." Former ManU Manager Alex Ferguson said, "There was a bit of a debate about whether it has any significance today. Some think it is not as important as it used to be ... and the attacking emphasis on the game today means more teams go away from home and win." In the early days of European competition, when air travel was far less developed and reliable, an away match was something of an adventure with visiting teams facing "unfamiliar, sometimes hostile, conditions." All of that "has changed." Playing conditions in most parts of Europe "are pretty much identical and trips abroad no longer carry the air of intimidation that they once did." The old quagmire pitches "have also become a thing of a past" (REUTERS, 9/4).
NEW RULES: New Zealand
Football Chair Mark Aspden released proposed changes to NZF rules "as the national body participates in a worldwide move to
modernise and be more inclusive." After a consultation process that began in June, the NZF board, with
the support of the regional federations, "has published a set of
proposed changes that will be discussed and voted on at the national
body's annual congress on September 28" (STUFF, 9/4).
