UEFA officials are reportedly discussing three possible major rule changes for the Champions League next season.
According to German outlet Bild, talks have started over seismic changes to rules in European competitions, including the Europa League and Conference League, from next season.
It’s claimed chiefs are considering whether extra-time should be abolished, a return leg advantage in the knockout phase of the competition and implementing the so-called ‘country protection’ rule.
The proposals could be presented to the UEFA Executive Committee next month if they are backed by the Club Competitions Committee.
The first change would see extra-time removed from matches where the result is tied after the two legs have been played. Instead of an additional 30 minutes, knockout round matches would go straight to penalties.
The return leg advantage is a rule which would see teams benefit from playing the second leg of knockout ties at home, depending on their league phase ranking.
In the current European competitions, sides qualifying directly for the last 16 were automatically guaranteed home matches in the second leg. Should this rule change be agreed then home ties in the second leg would be awarded to higher-ranked clubs in the quarter-final and semi-final rather than a draw.
The ‘ country protection’ rule regards teams from the same nation squaring off in continental competitions.
As it stands, teams from the same nation can compete against each other after the league phase of the competition.
However, UEFA are thought to be discussing reverting to previous guidelines that prevent clubs from the same nation being drawn against each other until at least the quarter-final.
Celtic and Rangers will enter Champions League qualifying next season with Celtic in the play-off round and Rangers beginning in the second qualifying round.
