Silver goal first in Seville

The innovative 'silver goal' ruling introduced by UEFA will make its debut at the UEFA Cup final between Celtic FC and FC Porto at the Estadio Olímpico in Seville, Spain on 21 May.

Coaches consulted
The system – which will also be used at the UEFA Champions League final in Manchester on 28 May – has been launched by European football's governing body after widespread consultations with the football community, and replaces the sudden-death golden goal system that has been in force for the past few seasons.

15 minutes
Under the 'silver goal' ruling, if the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup finals end in a draw after 90 minutes, a first 15 minutes of extra time will be played. If one team is in the lead at the end of the 15 minutes, that team will be declared the winners of the match.

Penalty shoot-out
If the two teams are still level after 15 minutes of extra time, a second 15-minute period will be played. If the result remains deadlocked at the end of the second period of extra time, a penalty shoot-out will determine the winners.

UEFA listens
UEFA decided to bring in the 'silver goal' system after analysing the effects of the golden goal ruling. The European body has reacted after listening to the viewpoints of a wide spectrum of representatives of the European game – including many leading coaches, who say that the golden goal rule puts far too much pressure on the match referee, and does not allow the team conceding the goal a chance to recover. Another view expressed to UEFA is that the golden goal system prompts negative football, and that the sudden end to a football match can also create safety and security problems.

Good for clubs, players and fans
"We believe that this will be good for clubs, players and fans," UEFA communications and public affairs director Mike Lee said of the 'silver goal' system. "We have addressed the problems created by the golden goal which many in the game have identified. The new system will encourage positive football in the extra-time period, and produce a sensible and fairer ending to a game."

Golden goal examples
The golden goal rule has been notable for settling the destiny of the EURO 96™ and EURO 2000™ titles. Germany won in sudden-death fashion during extra time in the EURO 96™ final against the Czech Republic in England, and France triumphed in a similar manner against Italy in the Netherlands three years ago. Liverpool FC also won the 2000/01 UEFA Cup with a golden goal against Deportivo Alavés.