PIERLUIGI COLLINA, arguably the world’s greatest ever referee, has proposed a a major rule change to penalty kicks.
The Italian is currently the chairman of the Fifa Referees Committee.
The legendary ref hung up his whistle back in 2005 but remains well respected in football.
He believes that goalkeepers should be complaining about the current penalty rules.
Collina has insisted the attackers should not be allowed to take advantage of a rebound if the initial shot is saved.
His plan would mean that if the penalty is saved, the ball is then dead and then leads to a goal kick.
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Collina, 64, told Repubblica: “I believe there is an excessive gap between the opportunities available to the attacker and those of the goalkeeper.
“On average, 75 per cent of penalties are already scored, and often, the penalty kick is a bigger chance than the one taken away by the foul.
“On top of that, the attacker is also given a chance to play the rebound off the goalkeeper. In my opinion, goalkeepers should be complaining.
“I’ve already mentioned this in discussions we’ve had at IFAB.
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“One solution is the ‘one shot’ rule. Just like in penalty shootouts after extra time.
“No rebound. Either you score or play resumes with a goal kick, period.
“This would also eliminate the spectacle we see before a penalty is taken, with everyone crowding around the area.
“It looks like horses at the starting gates before the Palio di Siena (a traditional Italian horse race with jockeys riding bareback).”
He has also suggested that the introduction of offside technology is a benefit to the game.
He added: “At 40 metres from the goal, perhaps two centimetres are not decisive, but in the penalty area they become so.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
