Pierluigi Collina calls for dramatic penalty kick...

Pierluigi Collina has insisted penalty kicks should be overhauled in order to give goalkeepers more of a chance at saving them. The former FIFA listed referee became a cult figure in football throughout his career for his style of no-nonsense officiating and distinctive look. During his illustrious two-decade spell in the game, Collina refereed the 2002 World Cup final, and officaited Manchester United's dramatic 1999 Champions League win over Bayern Munich.

Image Credit: Mail Online [The legendary former referee insisted the current rules favour the taker over the goalkeeper]

Since hanging up his whistle and notebook in 2005 Collina has remained involved with the game and serves as the chairman of the FIFA referees committee. In his time working behind the scenes Collina has overseen numerous significant changes, but it appears that he feels that there is one necessary amendment to the rules that is yet to take place. Speaking to Italian publication la Repubblica, the 64-year-old insisted changes needed to be made to penalties in football to give the defending team a greater chance of saving them.

Image Credit: Mail Online [His proposed amendment would see goals such as Harry Kane's winner in the Euro 2020 semi-final ruled out]

Pierluigi Collina has called for a dramatic overhaul of the currently laws for penalty kicks. The legendary former referee insisted the current rules favour the taker over the goalkeeper. His proposed amendment would see goals such as Harry Kane's winner in the Euro 2020 semi-final ruled out. 'I believe there is an excessive gap between the opportunities available to the attacker and those of the goalkeeper,' Collina said.

'On average, 75% 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.'. Collina added that he believes that spot kicks in normal time should be more akin to those seen in penalty shootouts, with the attacking team not permitted to attempt to score from a rebound.

He continued: 'I've already mentioned this in discussions we've had at IFAB. 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.'.