SHOULD PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS BE BANNED?

The Big Debate 

Ever since FIFA introduced the idea of penalty shoot-outs in the 70s there has been debate whether or not this is a fair way to declare a winner. Penalties are based merely on luck and not skill or technique of a player. Many have opposed this but 45 years on it still stands.

Most argue that at times the better side throughout the 120minutes may lose on penalties and thus see this as being unfair. Back in 2012, FIFA president Sepp Blatter was looking for an alternative but nothing has been fruitful.

The truth is there is no alternative. I've heard people bring up ridiculous ideas like extra time should be increased until a winner emerges, truth is, the teams may play for another hour, maybe two or even three and there might still not be a winner. We should understand that the players are human, and when fatigue starts to creep in the higher chances of one getting injured. So the idea of extended extra time would be a complete failure in my opinion.

Playing a 2nd leg was one idea I backed for some time, but come to think of it, it may not be the answer either. The teams may still be deadlocked after the 90minutes of play which will lead to extra time and eventually penalties, so this would be nothing but delaying the outcome of a final people have waited so eagerly for.

The idea of analysing  stats over 90 or 120 minutes would be so biased FIFA should not even consider it. Why is this?  Yes one team may have more shots on target, possession and corners but again football is not all about attack attack attack! Defending is a huge part of the game and should be taken into account in such situations. Teams should only blame themselves for failing to take their chances and congratulate themselves on a job well done at the back.

I'm not for or against the idea of banishing penalty shoot-outs because it does have its pros and cons. Manchester United vs Arsenal FA cup final 2015 and Bayern Munich vs Chelsea UEFA Champions League Final not too long ago. These are two great examples where the better side over the 120minutes lost on shoot-outs. It is a shame seeing a team dominate their opponents all over the field but lose eventually but as I said, defending is also a part of the sport that should not be ignored.

If we look at this situation deeper and keenly you'll all find there is absolutely no fair alternative way that can be introduced. Yes penalty shoot-outs isn't a fair way of determining the.winner of the game if you're looking at it just from an "attacking" side. For all who are against penalty shoot-outs, take a seat and reflect that for one; the dominant side failed to take their chances and two; the opposition defended well, which is an important part of the game.

So my opinion to all of this is, fifa should not abolish penalty shoot-outs with the mere thought that the dominant attacking side may come out short but instead view the way I am, one side is dominant in attack while the other is dominant in defense.