UEFA is getting ready a big enlargement of the Champions League with a proposal for 4 extra group-stage rounds and backup slots for elite golf equipment who fail to qualify by means of home competitions.
Plans to remodel the competitors from 2024 shall be mentioned by European home leagues on Friday and the 55 nationwide affiliation leaders shall be briefed by UEFA on Tuesday.
The overhaul is UEFA’s technique to rebuff plans to launch a largely closed breakaway competitors — which has been pushed by Barcelona and Real Madrid — and keep qualification by means of home leagues.
UEFA’s proposal is to extend the variety of group-stage individuals from 32 to 36, with every group assured 10 slightly than six video games, three folks conversant in the plans advised The Associated Press. The folks spoke on situation of anonymity to debate plans not publicly disclosed.
England, Spain, Italy and Germany presently have 4 assured slots within the group stage. But main groups who don’t make the highest 4 of their leagues might nonetheless qualify, with three of the extra group-stage slots lined up for such groups based mostly on their historic report in Europe.
The fourth extra spot might go to France, which presently solely has two assured group-stage slots whereas a 3rd group has to undergo qualifying.
The present format of eight teams would even be reworked, with UEFA as a substitute utilizing a variation of the so-called “Swiss system.”
All 36 groups shall be positioned right into a single league desk, with opponents decided based mostly on pre-season rating positions.
The high eight would qualify mechanically for the spherical of 16 with the following 16 groups probably contesting a playoff to fill the opposite slots within the knockout section. The plans had been mentioned by Premier League golf equipment at a digital assembly on Thursday.
The European Leagues group might resist the bounce from six to 10 video games within the group stage due to the wrestle to slot in further video games within the congested calendar. But European Leagues chairman Lars-Christer Olsson in December confirmed a willingness to again the plan.
“I think it could be possible to squeeze another four dates into the calendar,” he stated.
Breakaway league plans have typically been leaked prior to now 20 years when golf equipment have wished Champions League adjustments of their favor.
The proposed adjustments might assure each UEFA and golf equipment elevated TV revenues and prize cash as it will produce 180 group-stage video games to promote to broadcasters as a substitute of 96.
