The current format of the Champions League is set to be scrapped.
The new set up would see the league winner from Scotland gain automatic entry into the group stages with the Cup winner going into a mini knockout phase that would see a further 10 clubs join the 22 teams who already gained automatic entry into the group stage.
The runner up in the league would immediately go into the UEFA Cup group stage.
It is said the SPL are not in favour of this new structure, nor are the Dutch, because they fear that the divide in the domestic league would become too much if one team won the league a couple of years in succession.
The financial rewards of being in the Champions League are such that the winning team would then have so much more money that the other clubs in the league would find it difficult to compete.
I think this will be a great change and put a breathe of fresh air into both the domestic league and the Champions League.
5 Comments
August 20, 2007 at 7:44 pm
I think this is a ridiculous idea. It would result in a massive gulf in the teams in the domestic league although i suppose it would make the UEFA cup stronger.
I hope this doesnt happen though.
August 20, 2007 at 8:26 pm
This change IS happening, the story is 100% fact.
August 21, 2007 at 8:43 am
so how does this affect the other leagues such as Italy, France, Germany, England and Spain? Do they get 1 team automatic qualification and the others go into the UEFA Cup, I think not!
August 21, 2007 at 9:12 am
Sorry Jonesy if my story was misleading, I told the story from the Scottish point of view and how it would affect Scottish teams.
I believe Michel Platini was quoted as saying he wants the number of teams from any one country in the Champions League dropped to three.
The final decision will be announced in April 2008 and will take effect season 2009-10.
What I spoke of above is already ‘inked’ as the way ahead and over the coming months I will have more info for you in regard to how the other teams from each country get a chance to qualify though I do believe they will be in this qualifying phase with the Cup winners but please don’t quote me on that
August 22, 2007 at 9:27 am
YER THATS TRUE READ IT ON THE DAILY RECORD