UEFA desperately trying to preserve rules that helped England reach Euro 2025 final
UEFA are fighting against plans to change the rules around penalties, with football's lawmakers considering scrapping rebounds. The International FA Board (IFAB) are responsible for the laws of the game and several changes are currently being considered.
Among them is the idea that the ball will be declared "dead" if a goalkeeper saves a penalty and a goal cannot be scored from a follow-up, which is how England's Lionesses reached the final of Euro 2025.
England produced a dramatic comeback win over Italy in their semi-final match on Tuesday, with Michelle Agyemang scoring a late equaliser after Barbara Bonansea gave Italy the lead. Chloe Kelly then sent England through to the final in extra-time, slotting home a rebound after her penalty was saved by Laura Giuliani.
However, if the rule change is approved then that will no longer be allowed. UEFA, though, are not happy with the proposed change and the Times are reporting that they will strongly oppose the idea.
A senior UEFA source is quoted as saying the penalty proposal is a "no go", while suggestions that VAR should be given greater scope to intervene in games would be "hard to tolerate".
England, though, will be fully focused on Saturday's final where they are set to take on either Germany or Spain and captain Leah Williamson has vowed they will "give it everything we can" no matter who they face.
"I am very proud," she said after the win over Italy. "I think everybody that plays for this team knows how lucky they are to have stepped into a time when we are so successful, but also just being a part of it, how inspirational it is for us, let alone everybody watching.
"It has not been smooth sailing and I feel like things haven't necessarily gone to plan. We said before we came in and I said I am intrigued to see the level just keeps rising and there are more and more unknowns and you have to be ready for everything.
"And I don't think it has gone smooth sailing for anybody yet, which is the point. It makes a great tournament and it shows what is going on. We just have to keep rising as well, this new England has to find their feet quicker, which is good.
"We have one more to go. I promise you we will give it everything we can but I will enjoy watching that game tomorrow, let's say that."
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