European football faces a significant upheaval after UEFA officials met on Wednesday to discuss changes to the Champions League and Europa League.
UEFA’s bold plans include a third continental competition to be played alongside their two successful flagship tournaments so far – but major changes to both of their established competitions have been mentioned.
Reports in Italy have claimed there is an idea of introducing promotion and relegation to UEFA’s most prestigious tournament, while there is also a proposal to move matches from a midweek window to a weekend slot.
Any alterations would come into effect after 2024, as the international match calendar is set in stone for the next five years, but UEFA may feel it’s time for change after decades of the current format.
Created in the 1990s, the Champions League’s status has been rocked following widespread suggestions of a European Super League being created by that move has now been rubbished by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
However, a Super League is not completely off the table as a potential breakaway from UEFA has also been floated – and the fact that FIFA opposed the views of leading European clubs to revamp the Club World Cup recently may play into their minds.
It remains to be seen specifically what was discussed at the latest meeting but the European Club’s Association issued a statement on the matter, which read:
“The purpose of the meeting was to engage in an informal brainstorming session to allow for an initial sharing of ideas and exchange of views around UEFA club competitions post-2024.
“This is the first of a series of meetings amongst stakeholders in the months ahead, in order to allow for a detailed and proper consultation with the aim of drawing up concrete proposals that can be properly considered and analysed prior to any decisions being reached.”
(Image: VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
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