UEFA sees off breakaway threat with Champions League changes

The top four European leagues will each be guaranteed four places in the group stage of the Champions League from the 2018-19 season under new proposals from UEFA.

Under the present system, the top three leagues – currently Spain, Germany and England – have three places each, while their fourthplaced teams must play off over two legs for a place in the group phase.

The fourth-ranked league, currently Italy, has only two guaranteed places plus one in the playoff round.

The changes came after Europe’s top clubs once again discussed the possibility of forming a breakaway “Super League”.

While 16 teams from the top four leagues will be guaranteed places in the group stage, another