Concern over the have-nots in Europe

Neil Doncaster believes concern over a decline in genuine competition within Europe’s top leagues could help Scottish football achieve a better deal from Uefa.

The Scottish Professional Football League chief executive was speaking after the general assembly of Europe’s leagues, held in Edinburgh yesterday, was dominated by concerns over a growing financial disparity between the elite clubs and the vast majority of teams.

The newly-named European Leagues body has criticised Uefa over its revamped 2018-2021 format, which will see the four highest-ranked countries automatically claim half of the 32 Champions League places.

Doncaster previously spoke about “sinister” developments which saw some leading clubs seek guaranteed entry regardless of league position.

The European Leagues is confident it will have a greater say in negotiations for the 2021-24 system and Doncaster feels growing unease among clubs in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France over their domestic leagues could change the dynamics of the decision-making.

He said: “I think there is a genuine desire to protect theinterestsofthemedium and smaller-sized leagues as we see the gap between them and the big five grow bigger and bigger. It’s vital that we do that.”