Blatter wants end to final shoot-outs

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has vowed to change the rules to ensure the 2010 World Cup final is not decided by penalties.

Blatter, speaking at the Zurich Chamber of Commerce, made the claim just 10 weeks after Italy sealed victory in the final with a 5-3 shoot-out win over France.

“We have four years (to make the changes) so I think we will have time,” said Blatter.

“Maybe we could replay the game if it’s a final although you can’t do that during the tournament because of time issues.

“Maybe we could reduce the number of players and decide it by golden goal.”

Blatter continued: “When you get to a World Cup final, there is passion, when you get to extra-time there is drama and when you go to penalties it becomes a tragedy.

“Football is a team sport but from the penalty spot it’s an individual match.”

The 2006 final, sealed by Fabio Grosso’s winning kick after David Trezeguet had missed, was the second to be decided by penalties.

In 1994, Brazil pipped Italy in a shoot-out.