UEFA confirm bold plans to revamp the Champions League from the 2024-25 season with NO group stage, an increase to 36 teams and 100 EXTRA games... but will it end up being a rival to the new European Super League?
- Plans to revamp the UEFA Champions League from 2024-25 have been explained
- UEFA are looking to take away separated groups and add an extra 100 matches
- There will be a 10-match first phase with the number of teams up from 32 to 36
- It is unclear how the competition would fair in light of a European Super League
Despite mounting confusion over the future of European football amid accelerating plans for the European Super League, UEFA have confirmed their plans to revamp the Champions League from 2024-25.
UEFA revealed earlier this year their desire to shake-up Europe's premier club competition and exactly how they plan to do that has now been revealed.
The shake-up would see the total number of teams swell from 32 to 36 and the traditional group stage format is to be abolished.
Bold reforms to the Champions League in 2024-25 have now been detailed by UEFA
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin is committed to overhauling Europe's premier competition
In its place a single league stage, which includes all 36 participating teams, would be devised which would see every team guaranteed 10 'league stage' matches.
Five of those matches would be at home and the other five would be away from home.
The top eight sides from that 'league stage' format would progress to the knockout stage automatically.
Those remaining sides running from ninth to 24th would then enter two-legged eliminators to determine the other eight teams into the last-16.
Under UEFA's proposals the Champions League would expand by four teams and 100 games
Commenting on the new format, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, said: 'This new format supports the status and future of the domestic game throughout Europe as well.
'It retains the principle that domestic performance should be the key to qualification and reconfirms the principles of solidarity right through the game and of open competition.
'This evolved format will still keep alive the dream of any team in Europe to participate in the UEFA Champions League thanks to results obtained on the pitch and it will enable long-term viability, prosperity, and growth for everyone in European football, not just a tiny, self-selected cartel.
'Football is a social and cultural treasure, enriched with values, traditions and emotions shared across our continent. As the governing body and responsible stewards of the European game, it is UEFA's role to safeguard this legacy while leading positive future development of football in Europe for national associations, leagues, clubs, players, and fans at every level.
Teams like Borussia Dortmund would see the group stage removed for a 'league stage' format
'This is why we had an extensive consultation process over the last two years which led to the unanimous backing of our proposal and we are convinced that these reforms achieve those objectives'.
Reaching this point where plans have been outlined has come after extensive consultation with clubs and their directors.
UEFA received unanimous backing from the ECA Board and the UEFA Club Competitions Committee - made up of a majority of club representatives - last Friday.
More decisions are to be made and detailed towards the end of 2021 in areas such as coefficients, match date rounds, how the seeding system works and the financial distribution throughout the competition.
As part of the reforms UEFA say they want to initiate steps to ensure that greater financial solidarity will be delivered to a wider spectrum of clubs who do not go on to participate in UEFA club competitions.
The idea is that this will reinforce the solid foundation on which the game in Europe is built.
The planned reforms have been revealed less than 24 hours the world of football was stunned by a press release revealing 12 of Europe's elite clubs have committed to being founding members of a European Super League (ESL).
Ceferin was asked repeatedly about plans for a European Super League on Monday but he insisted that UEFA would seek a legal challenge if the 12 teams involved look to break away
Seen as a direct rival to the UEFA Champions League, the ESL would also be a midweek competition and would be home to, what organisers said in a now deleted promotional video, 'the world's greatest players'.
In a press conference revealing plans for the Champions League revamp, Ceferin was repeatedly asked for comment on plans for the ESL.
'These are so-called big clubs, it is clear that the big clubs of today were not always big clubs,' Ceferin said.
'Juventus were in Serie B, Man United before Sir Alex Ferguson was I don't know where.'
He added: 'We will do the sanctions we can do within the law, of course.'
A statement on behalf of UEFA released on Sunday night said 'enough is enough' and they would seek a legal challenge if these top-tier clubs did look to breakaway for their own competition.
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