The silver goal

Should the scores remain level at full-time in this season's UEFA Champions League final, the silver goal rule could decide the destiny of the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

Positive play
The successor to the old golden goal rule, the new UEFA regulation has been devised to encourage positive play in extra time in response to concerns over the old sudden death rule employed when games go into extra time.

Decisive period
Under the new rule, if the UEFA Champions League ends 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

Second chance
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.

Widespread consultations
The new regulation is the result of widespread consultations with the football community. UEFA listened to the views of a wide spectrum of representatives of the European game - including many leading coaches - who said 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.

UEFA concerns
UEFA were also concerned that the golden goal system encouraged negative football, with teams too concerned about conceding to risk playing attacking football, and that the sudden end to a football match could also create safety and security problems.

Sensible plan
"We believe that this will be good for clubs, players and fans," UEFA communications and public affairs director Mike Lee said of the new 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."

Sudden death
Golden goals decided the finals of EURO 96™ and EURO 2000™. 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.