Could we see ABBA at Turf Moor?

[claptrappers_union]

Penalty shootouts in football could be transformed to make them fairer under new plans being looked at by Uefa.

The sport's European governing body is already trialling a new way for penalties to be taken in decisive shootouts.

Instead of teams alternating spot-kicks, Uefa is considering a new system similar to the tie-break in tennis.

The system is being tried out at the European Under-17 Championship, which began in Croatia on Wednesday.

What makes the perfect World Cup shootout penalty?

How does it work?

As it stands, teams take turns in a shootout, with the choice of who goes first decided by a coin toss.

For example, team A goes first, then team B, then team A again.

The new system is called 'ABBA' and sees team A followed by team B - before team B goes again. Team A would then get two successive penalties, and so on until there is a winner.

A coin will still be tossed to decide who goes first.

Why is a change needed?

The idea is to stop the team going second having to always, potentially, play catch-up. The sport's rule-making body, Ifab, approved the trial after looking at research it says proves the team taking the first penalty have an unfair advantage as they win 60% of shootouts.

"The hypothesis is that the player taking the second kick in the pair is under greater mental pressure," said Uefa.

The system is also being trialled at the women's European Under-17 Championship, which began in the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

[ClaretTony]

And at the end of that does the winner take it all?

[MACCA]

Well knowing me, knowing you CT, I'm sure you'll agree it's all about money, money, money.

[karatekid]

And at the end of that does the winner take it all?

That's the name of the game

[Darnhill Claret]

Hope we sign Chicarita.

[KRBFC]

Changes for the sake of changes.

[MACCA]

Changes for the sake of changes.

To be fair it's one of the more obscure ones, but it's right up there in terms of my favourites.

[Falcon]

I like this change. If the stats say that the team going first win 60% of shoot outs under current rules and this method makes it more even then fair do's - crack on.

[BertiesBeehole]

Could we see ABlueclaret at Turf Moor?

[what_no_pies]

Great change which just makes so much sense you'd have to go out of your way to take issue with it. The sooner it comes in the better.

[NRC]

I have never understood why for example) two players are taking off by each team at the beginning of extra time, and a golden goal applies. It relies still on the football essence, not spot kicks. It allows tactical determination as to which players to withdraw. It creates the space for teams to exploit, and it continues the game itself.

If after 15 minutes no golden goal is scored, take another player each off. It won't take long, and playing the game sees the result, not spot kicks

[ClaretTony]

I have never understood why for example) two players are taking off by each team at the beginning of extra time, and a golden goal applies. It relies still on the football essence, not spot kicks. It allows tactical determination as to which players to withdraw. It creates the space for teams to exploit, and it continues the game itself.

If after 15 minutes no golden goal is scored, take another player each off. It won't take long, and playing the game sees the result, not spot kicks

I could imagine the sports science teams and managers having nightmares at that scenario. Man of them would like to see extra time scrapped altogether and go straight to penalties, removing two players would make it even worse.

[Rileybobs]

It seems reasonable enough on the face of it. But has anyone got any statistics as to who wins the most tie-breaks in tennis? Because it wouldn't surprise me if the player serving first also won 60%.

[FactualFrank]

I imagine Man City would like this, especially Fernando.