Uefa’s Champions League changes set to spark all-out war across Europe as clubs prepare to stage mass revolt


EUROPEAN football will be at war in two weeks’ time – unless Uefa agree to ditch Champions League changes.

Leagues across the continent are up in arms about reforms due to kick in for the 2018/19 season which would guarantee more big clubs places in the competition, hand them a larger share of its massive income and give them a bigger say in future developments.

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War could break out between European leagues over Uefa reforms
 Current plans would see big leagues get more places, power and money

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Current plans would see big leagues get more places, power and money

And unless Uefa chiefs show willingness to compromise, the European Professional Football Leagues body will ask its members to vote at a October 21 meeting in Zurich whether to tear up their agreement with Uefa.

Terminating the Memorandum of Understanding would give the Premier League and other top-flight competitions the freedom to stage domestic fixtures up against Champions League and Europa League games.

Lars-Christer Olsson, former head of Uefa and now EPFL chairman, told the Leaders conference: “We are of the opinion that the Memorandum of Understanding has already been broken.

“It says there should be a proper consultation process, including the leagues, when there is going to be any major change in European competitions. That has not happened.”

 Uefa's Memorandum of Understanding could be dealt a huge blow later this month

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Uefa’s Memorandum of Understanding could be dealt a huge blow later this month
 Real Madrid are the current Champions League holders

AP:Associated Press

Real Madrid are the current Champions League holders

Staging domestic fixtures on the same night as European games would damage all sides.

Olsson said clubs competing in the Champions League or European League would not have league games scheduled on the same night.

But there could be a genuine threat to Uefa’s precious TV audiences and the sponsorship revenues linked to them.

When big-name Premier League clubs like Manchester City or Tottenham went out of Europe, their games could be staged up against, for example, Champions League quarter or semi-finals.


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