Richard Keysthinks the regulations regarding penalty shootouts need significant modification - claiming the Lionesses had a 'clear benefit' in their Euro 2025 shootout victory.
The ex-Sky Sports commentator, now affiliated with beIN, believes there is an unjust benefit provided to the team taking penalty kicks in front of their home supporters.
The English women's football team secured the coin toss following extra time in the final against Spain in the championship.Euro2025 on Sunday, choosing the penalties to occur at the conclusion in front of English fans.
Keys posted on X: 'Having pens in front of your own supporters is a significant benefit. We need to capitalize on both ends, but for now - Come on England.'
The existing regulations state that two coin flips occur prior to penalty kicks, one to determine the direction in which they will be taken and another to decide which team will go first.
If Keys' proposal to enforce penalties at both ends were implemented, it could equalize the game but change the excitement, as focus would be divided between both halves and players in the middle would turn to watch each time.
The English women's football team managed to hold back Spain during extra time, advancing to the penalty shootout after equalizing Mariona Caldentey's opening goal with a second-half header from Alessia Russo.
Beth Mead believed she had netted the opening goal from the penalties, but she double-kicked the ball as she lost her balance.
She had to take it again and witnessed her hard work contributing to Spain's benefit, though it ultimately made little difference.
Hannah Hampton made two saves, while Salma Paralluelo sent the ball wide of the post, but Chloe Kelly took the opportunity to score the decisive goal, securing England's status as back-to-back European champions.
It's improbable that Keys' penalty proposal will be implemented, and he has previously expressed contentious views on X.
The media outlet previously stated this year that Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim was "attempting" to be dismissed.
He also suggested that Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan both attribute their successful careers to him, in a surprising outburst after they were selected as part of a trio, alongside Mark Chapman, to host Match of the Day.
In his blog, he wrote: "Congratulations to Kelly Cates on her new position. I'm proud of her, but not taken aback. Success often has many contributors, and I'm certain several individuals will seek to claim credit for her achievements, but Kelly, Kenny, and I are aware of the real story."
'Kenny and I had a disagreement once regarding her getting a position at Sky. "That meant she didn't complete her university studies," he told me. "No," I said. "But you asked me to help her get the job." Her father is someone full of contradictions – but that particular one was truly remarkable. I don't expect him to call anytime soon to apologize.
Kelly is talented. Extremely talented. But I'm still taken aback by her decision. There's nothing quite like broadcasting live football. I would never have chosen that path. Highlight reels are incredibly boring.
MotD really requires new energy, but I'm not certain it will last much longer. In the end, Grandstand met a similar fate – the passage of time.
Keys and former colleague Andy Gray departed from Sky after a series of inappropriate remarks were recorded and released in January 2011, when they believed their microphones were not active.
Both Keys and Gray have departed the UK and are now the prominent figures in Premier League broadcasting across the Middle East and North Africa through beIN Sports.
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