UEFA contemplating change to away-goals rule, looking to alter Champions League seeding

UEFA's away-goals rule has long been a hot topic, with critics of the regulation arguing that it's an unfair, pointless, detrimental way of determining a two-legged series that finishes tied on aggregate.

Many believe it's also outdated, as it was introduced nearly 50 years ago, when playing away in Europe was a novelty compared to today's football.

When the away-goals rule was first used in a second-round tie between Honved and Dukla Prague in the 1965-66 Cup Winners' Cup, it was seen as the superior alternative to a playoff or a coin toss - especially after a coin toss sent Liverpool to the 1965-66 European Cup semifinal.

All these arguments and more were addressed this week as part of UEFA's two-day meeting of leading coaches in Nyon, Switzerland, where coaches discussed the away-goals rule's place in the modern game.

"There was a bit of a debate about whether it has any significance today," said Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the many prestigious coaches in attendance. "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.

"If we go back, say 30 years, counter-attacking consisted of one, or maybe two, players. Today, counter-attacks have players flooding forward in fives or sixes and really positive, quick passing."

Coaches also discussed seeding for tournaments like the Champions League. UEFA currently ranks clubs based off their performance in European competition over the last five years, inevitably leading to criticism over the draws repeating themselves.

An alternative option for UEFA would be to guarantee a top seeding to to winners of Europe's highest-profile leagues, but Ferguson doesn't think much of the suggestion.

"I don't necessarily think the seeding plays a great part," Ferguson commented. "You take what you get and your performance is the most important thing.

"From a personal point of view, when I was playing at home, I used to say to myself, don't lose a goal."