Broadcaster Richard Keys has led calls to revamp penalty shootouts in football after England Lionesses’ victory over Spain. The two teams could not be separated after 120 minutes of play, ending extra time at 1-1 after Alessia Russo’s header cancelled out Mariona Caldentey’s opener.
Chloe Kelly, who grabbed the assist for Russo’s equaliser after coming off the bench in the first half, stepped up to dispatch the winning penalty in front of a jubilant England support. The new champions won 3-1 in the shootout, but some concerns have since been raised.
Beth Mead, who got England’s spot kicks underway, was able to re-take her effort. She initially sent Cata Coll the wrong way, but replays showed that she had touched the ball twice after slipping, rendering her first take illegal.
The ‘double-touch’ law was changed last month after controversy involving Julian Alvarez against Real Madrid in the men’s Champions League. Cases where a double touch is ‘clearly accidental’ can be re-taken, but only if the penalty was successful.
Mead’s second penalty was saved, but her despair turned to joy when goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved two spot-kicks and Salma Paralluelo dragged wide before Kelly powered home to celebrate in front of the nearby England fans.
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But Keys has complained that the Lionesses should not have been able to benefit from the shootout taking place in front of their section of fans.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: “Pens in front of your own fans is a distinct advantage. We should take them at both ends but for now – Come on England.”
Keys feels that shootouts could be taken at both ends of the pitch, rather than in front of one section of supporters, to help curb the daunting nature of taking a shot from 12 yards.
Before teams take their places, the referee flips a coin to decide which end of the stadium the kicks are taken, then another to determine who goes first.
Many on social media agreed that having one team take their efforts in front of a supportive crowd, while their opponents face attempts to put them off, but felt that the proposed change was not practical in every stadium.
@SulliMick replied: “Some grounds like Tottenham Stadium, Villa Park & Selhurst Park just to name a few have away fans at the side not directly behind the goal so how would that work?”
Often, at women’s football matches, the crowd is not kept apart depending on their allegiances either. Many on social media pointed out that setting up on each side of the stadium may add further unwanted delays – which could only add to players’ nerves.