UEFA to stick with Champs League reforms

UEFA on Friday confirmed that they will push ahead with previously announced plans to reform the Champions League and will provide compensation for smaller leagues affected.

European football’s governing body made the announcement after an executive committee meeting at their base in Nyon, Switzerland.

In August, European football’s governing body had revealed that the continent’s four leading leagues – Spain, England, Germany and Italy – would be guaranteed four places in the Champions League group stage for the period 2018-21.

The move had been backed by the European Clubs Association (ECA) made up of the continent’s biggest clubs but the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) body had been opposed to the changes on the basis they overly favoured the current elite and felt they would hog the prize money as a result.

To ease concerns after meeting with the EPFL, UEFA’s new Slovenian presi- dent Aleksander Ceferin said that the current number of berths in the Champions League would be maintained for all countries.

Furthermore, domestic champions who are eliminated in the qualifying rounds will get a second chance in European competitions by entering a “dedicated champions’ path” in Europa League qualification.

Previously there was no second chance on offer to these teams.

In addition, a pool of 50 million ($52.7 million) will be passed down by the Champions League to the Europa League, “and a further 10 million will be earmarked also from the Champions League as additional solidarity distribution for the qualifying rounds”.

UEFA also confirmed a change to the kick-off times in the group stage from 2018, with two games starting at 7pm Central European Time (2am Cambodian time) and six at 9pm, compared to all matches starting at 8:45pm in the current format.