Premier League could reduce number of teams under plans for new-look Champions League
Uefa proposals have been backed by Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli, an influential figure in European football
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.Reducing the number of clubs in the Premier League could accommodate an expanded Champions League format, Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli has said.
The Italian chairs the European Club Association (ECA) and gave the body’s approval to Uefa proposals for a new-look continental competition to begin in 2024 – with 36 clubs instead of 32.
The plan would see teams play 10 matches in autumn rather than the current six in the group stage, as part of a ‘Swiss system’ within a 36-team league.
EXPLAINED: What’s gone wrong with Football Index?
Agnelli is hopeful that an agreement on the new format could be reached within a fortnight.
The Premier League is understood to be concerned about the increased number of matches contained within the proposal, but Agnelli suggested 20-team leagues might look at a reduction in domestic games to overcome the problem.
“The balance we are trying to strike is one third international [games] to two thirds domestic,” he said following the ECA’s general assembly on Monday.
“We have countries such as England with the maximum number of games at 53 or 54, Germany is 43. So it’s having a balanced competitive landscape. “We do think that currently, for competitive balance purposes, 20 teams in leagues – it’s not just the big leagues, but in many leagues – there are too many.
“And so there is an overall element that could actually be worked out altogether in the interests of everyone.”
Agnelli described the Swiss system – whereby teams do not play every team in the league, but teams with differing strengths based on a seeding system – as “beautiful”.
Agnelli acknowledged that one of the key issues to overcome is access to the competition, and in particular how the four extra places should be allocated.
The European Leagues group – of which the Premier League is a member – is opposed to the idea of clubs qualifying via historical ‘co-efficient’ rankings rather than performance in the most recent domestic season. It is holding a club advisory platform on Wednesday, with all clubs invited to attend.
Agnelli understood the argument of allowing domestic champions from a broader range of countries to have access to the new-look league. But when asked whether a dangerous precedent was being set in allowing teams into Europe based on historic performance, he said: “Unprecedented events can turn into normality. Some years ago it was unprecedented that not just the champions were allowed in the Champions Cup, and then it became normality.
“So I wouldn’t be too concerned about unprecedented events which then become normality, if they are approved.
“When it once was a blasphemy to imagine not just the champions in the Champions Cup, now it’s absolutely normal, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about change.
“Those who know me, know I am a fan of change – if change is necessary I am happy for change to take place.”
Agnelli said he hoped an agreement on a new format would “close” speculation surrounding a breakaway European Super League.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments