Euro 2012 – McDonald’s Update the Assist Rule

It’s come to our attention that since we published our previous guide to the McDonald’s game, there has been an important tweak to the assist rule that is beneficial to Fantasy managers.

Beforehand, the game had simply replicated the rule of the Champions League format, also run by Uefa. Assists were not awarded for shots that rebounded off the woodwork or opposition goalkeeper, neither were they granted if the goalscorer had to beat an opponent before scoring, as stated below:

An assist is awarded when the goalscorer receives the ball directly from a team-mate (including the goalkeeper) and scores without having to take the ball past an opponent. If the assist pass takes a small deflection which does not change the direction of the ball, it will still be given. No assists are awarded for own goals or penalties. Live assists are provisional and will be reviewed within 24 hours of the match.

Now, however, they’ve made it a little more straightforward for us. Ahead of Friday’s kick-off, the addition of a few handy alterations should consequently lead to higher scoring rounds across the board.

It’s refreshing to see that rebounds will now count – this seemed an obvious flaw and brings the rule system more in line with most Fantasy games. A player now also receives assist points if he makes the final pass prior to the ball finishing in the back of the net, regardless of whether the scorer needed to beat an opponent – again this is a positive step.

Although players will not be awarded assist points for converted penalties or free-kicks, if a player is brought down in the box and his side are subsequently awarded a spot-kick, he will still receive an extra point, regardless of whether the ball finishes in the back of the net or not.

A player will be credited with a “goal assist” when he delivers/plays the final pass, cross, header or shot, which leads to the goal being scored. This will also apply to set plays (i.e. corner, free kick, throw-in etc.).
An attempt, which rebounds from the goal frame, the goalkeeper or a defender, can be considered as an assist, if it leads directly to a goal.
When a pass, shot or cross by an attacker contributes to an own goal, an assist can be awarded to the attacker.
Only one player can be credited with an assist per goal scored.
No assist is awarded to a player winning a penalty or a free kick.
No assist is given to a player who creates his own goalscoring opportunity (i.e. solo run/dribble).

Hopefully this will be the one and only rule change to the game prior and during the tournament. However, those long in the tooth may remember that this wasn’t quite the case during the FIFA World Cup. We’ll stay on the look out for any further subtle changes and alert you should any arise.