Blatter wants alternative for penalty shootout

(From Kofi Addae, GNA Special Correspondent, Khartoum, Sudan)

Khartoum, Sudan, Feb. 24, GNA - Joseph Sepp Blatter, President of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has called for an alternative way of deciding games aside penalty kicks.

Recounting the Black Stars 91painful' exit at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa last year, and after watching hosts Sudan lose 4-2 via penalties to Angola at the semi finals of the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN), the FIFA boss reiterated his desire for a substitute for the kicks from the penalty mark.

Blatter, credited with many innovations as far as the globular leather is concerned, expressed his concern to delegates at the 33rd Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) held in Khartoum and asked them to assist in the search for a suitable replacement for penalty shootouts.

He said he considers penalty kicks as an 91unfair' means in deciding matches, just as many have described it as a 91lottery' rather than a test of skill.

"Ghana was three-centimetres away from the semi-finals of the World Cup before the lottery of penalties killed their hopes.

"Is there no better solution than penalty shootout?" Blatter quizzed delegates of the 53 National Associations affiliated to CAF.

The 74-year old urged the delegates to suggest options for deliberations at the appropriate time.

Blatter who has headed the world soccer governing body since June 1998 is credited with the introduction of the silver goal rule in place of the golden goal rule in extra time of matches.

Other innovations include yellow cards for players who remove their shirts after scoring a goal and cancellation of matches being played above 2500 metres (8200 feet) above sea level.