A Bold Idea from Football’s Top Referee Authority
Pierluigi Collina, the legendary former referee and current President of the FIFA Referees Committee, has once again sparked debate across the football world. This time, the Italian official is proposing a major overhaul of how penalties are taken during regular match time — a change that could fundamentally alter one of football’s most dramatic moments.
According to Collina, the current penalty system heavily favours the attacking player and no longer offers a fair balance between the penalty taker and the goalkeeper.
Why Collina Believes Penalties Are Unfair
Collina’s argument is rooted in statistics and on-field reality.
On average, around 75% of penalties result in goals, an incredibly high success rate. For goalkeepers, the challenge is already enormous — reacting within fractions of a second, guessing the correct direction, and staying on the line.
Yet, even when a goalkeeper makes a save, the danger is often not over.
Rebounds allow attackers to follow up and score anyway, turning a rare moment of goalkeeper heroics into disappointment. For Collina, this creates an “excessive gap” between the shooter and the goalkeeper.
The ‘One Shot’ Rule Explained
Collina’s solution is both simple and radical: introduce a “ONE SHOT” rule for penalties during normal match time.
How It Would Work:
The penalty taker gets one attempt only
No rebounds allowed
If the ball is saved or hits the post and stays out, play restarts with a goal kick
The situation mirrors penalty shootouts after extra time
In essence, it becomes a true one-on-one duel: shooter versus goalkeeper — no second chances.
Ending the Chaos Inside the Box
Beyond fairness, Collina also highlighted another issue: the mess inside the penalty area before kicks are taken.
Players crowd the edge of the box, jostling for position, encroaching, and pushing referees to the limit. Collina compared the scene to:
“Horses at the starting gate before a race.”
With no rebounds allowed, there would be no reason for players to crowd the area, eliminating encroachment controversies and making refereeing decisions clearer and cleaner.
Potential Impact on the Game
If adopted, this rule could have huge consequences:
More Pressure on Penalty Takers
Knowing there is no second chance would increase the psychological pressure on the shooter. Technique, composure, and decision-making would become even more critical.
Goalkeepers Gain a Fairer Chance
Goalkeepers would finally be rewarded properly for making a save, rather than watching the ball fall kindly to an attacker.
Fewer Controversies
No rebounds mean fewer VAR checks, fewer arguments about encroachment, and fewer stoppages.
Will FIFA Actually Approve It?
For now, Collina’s proposal is just that — a proposal. Any rule change of this magnitude would need to pass through IFAB, extensive trials, and global consultation.
Still, when an idea comes from Pierluigi Collina, it carries serious weight. His influence within FIFA means this concept is likely to be discussed at the highest level.
Whether fans embrace it or resist it, one thing is certain: the penalty kick may never be the same again.