European body hits out over Uefa plans

No country should get more than three automatic places in the Champions League group stage, according to a body that represents 32 European leagues.

The European Leagues body, with representatives of 25 countries, has told the continent’s governing body Uefa it wants fairer access to the Champions League, a block on European football on weekends and more money for the smallest associations.

European Leagues is angry that reforms to Uefa’s competitions appear to be being driven by the European Club Association and has responded with a three-year plan for the Champions League, Europa League and proposed “Europa League 2” contest from 2021.

Danish league boss Claus Thomsen said: “It is a question of securing a better competitive balance across European club competitions.

“It is a question of going forward in time, of having attractive tournaments throughout the football pyramid, which means we need to protect the heart and soul of European club football, which starts with domestic competition.”

Most eye-catching is that no league should get more than three automatic places in the Champions League group stage.

Starting this season, the fourth-placed teams from the last campaign were spared the uncertainty of having to come through a qualifying round, but European Leagues wants to give teams from other countries more of a shot at the group stages by restoring that uncertainty.