FIFA president Sepp Blatter has questioned the away-goal rule that still applies in European football today.
The rule allows teams who score more goals away from home in a two-legged tie in both the Champions League and Europa League to progress to the next phase but Blatter believes it should be reviewed as it gives sides playing away in the second leg an advantage.
Of the rule, which has been in place since 1965, Blatter wrote in his column in the FIFA Weekly magazine: "It is time to rethink the system. Football has progressed since the 1960s, so the away goals rule may now be questioned.
"Does the away goals rule still make sense?
"The idea dates back to a time when away games were often an adventure, involving journeys that could be long and arduous - and the playing conditions would vary considerably.
"In reality, it favours the club that play away from home in the second leg. Where the scores are tied, that team has 30 minutes more than their opponent to score a valuable away goal. After all, in the first leg there is no extra-time.
"Such an imbalance has already been disposed of in various competitions. The away goals rule is no longer used in the semi-finals of the promotion playoffs in English football."
