New-look Champions League to be discussed in attempt to ward off European Super League threat
Competition could be revamped in 2024, with the Premier League and other leagues gathering on Friday for talks over the proposals
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Premier League and other European domestic leagues will meet on Friday to discuss plans for a new-look Champions League from 2024, the PA news agency understands.
A general gathering of all competitions affiliated to the European Leagues group will take place to discuss a Uefa proposal to revamp the continent's most prestigious tournament and combat the threat of a European Super League.
Uefa is believed to have suggested a scrapping of the existing format of eight 'mini-league' groups of four, to replace it with one league where each team plays 10 matches in a so-called 'Swiss system'.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: All knockout ties by date and kick-off time
That increase from six matches to 10 in the autumn would have calendar implications for Europe's domestic leagues, and from an English perspective would most obviously have an impact on the future of the Carabao Cup. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has previously said it would be "better for everyone" if that competition was ditched.
It is not yet clear if the leagues will give their approval to Uefa's proposal or ask for further time for consideration, but time may be a factor given increased momentum behind the European Super League.
Real Madrid are understood to be leading the breakaway project, which Fifa and the six continental confederations – including UEFA – have said they will not recognise.
Fifa has also warned that any players involved in a Super League would be barred from international competitions such as the World Cup.
European football's governing body has been consulting with various stakeholders on its proposals to reform its competitions from the 2024/25 season onwards, including European Leagues and the European Club Association.
The Football Supporters' Europe group said earlier this week that Super League proposals were "unpopular, illegitimate and dangerous".
Concerns have been expressed that accommodating all 32 or 36-team leagues in one league offers the 'flexibility' for the number of matches to be increased beyond 10 in the future.
European Leagues president Lars-Christer Olsson said in December: "I think it could be possible to squeeze another four dates into the calendar if we can see what kind of effect it is having on national team matches and other things, but it's too early to say now, it needs to be part of our negotiations."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments