The Lionesses successfully defended their Euros title on Sunday by beating Spain 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with some controversy surrounding the shootout that has fans talking
Broadcaster Richard Keys has spearheaded calls for a revamp of penalty shootouts in football following the Lionesses’ victory over Spain at Euro 2025. The two teams were inseparable after 120 minutes of play in the final, with extra time ending 1-1 after Alessia Russo’s header nullified Mariona Caldentey’s opening goal in normal time.
Chloe Kelly, who provided the assist for Russo’s equaliser after being substituted on during the first half, confidently dispatched the winning penalty to the delight of England’s supporters. The newly crowned champions triumphed 3-1 in the shootout, but some concerns have been voiced since.
Beth Mead, who took the first of England’s penalties, was permitted to re-take her shot. She initially found the middle of Cata Coll’s net, but replays revealed that she had touched the ball twice after slipping, making her first attempt unlawful.
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The ‘double-touch’ rule was altered last month following controversy surrounding Julian Alvarez against Real Madrid in the men’s Champions League. Instances where a double touch is “clearly accidental” can be re-taken if the penalty has gone in.
Mead’s second effort was saved, but her disappointment quickly turned to elation when goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved two penalties and Salma Paralluelo missed before Kelly scored to celebrate with the nearby England fans.
Yet, Keys has voiced his dissatisfaction, arguing that the Lionesses shouldn’t have been able to gain an advantage from the penalty shootout taking place in front of their own fans, reports the Express.
On X, previously known as Twitter, he penned: “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 suggests that penalties could be taken at both ends of the pitch, rather than just in front of one set of supporters, to alleviate the intimidating prospect of taking a 12-yard shot with jeers ringing down. Before teams assume their positions, the referee tosses a coin to decide which end of the stadium will host the penalty kicks, followed by another toss to determine who kicks off first.
Many social media users concurred that having one team take their shots in front of a supportive crowd, while their rivals face attempts to distract them, is unfair, but they felt that implementing the proposed change wouldn’t be feasible in every stadium.
One responded: “Some grounds, like Tottenham Stadium, Villa Park, and Selhurst Park, just to name a few, have away fans at the side not directly behind the goal, so how would that work?”
Frequently, at women’s football matches, the crowd isn’t segregated based on team loyalties either, throwing another spanner into the works of Keys’ suggestion. Many social media users highlighted that setting up at each end of the stadium could also introduce further unwanted delays, potentially heightening players’ anxiety.
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