UEFA to introduce 'silver goal' for finals

UEFA are to introduce a "silver goal" rule for next month's Champions League and UEFA Cup finals.

UEFA are to introduce a "silver goal" rule for next month's Champions League and UEFA Cup finals.

The new rule will replace the existing "golden goal" rule in extra time.

Whereas a "golden goal" immediately ended a match which had been deadlocked after 90 minutes, the new rule stipulates that play should continue until the end of the half in which an extra-time goal was scored.

If the match remains a draw after both halves of 15 minutes, it will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

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The move is seen as being fairer as it gives teams a chance to make up for conceding a goal.

UEFA believe it will also ease some of the pressure on the match referee and avoid some of the negative football created by the Golden Goal rule, where teams are usually more concerned with defending than attacking.

The rule will also be used at next year's European Championship in Portugal.