UEFA amends CL reform: no club coefficient entry, eight group games
THE reformed Champions League from 2024 will feature eight group games instead of an originally planned 10, and clubs will not gain entry via past merits, the ruling body UEFA decided on Tuesday.
The UEFA executive committee approved the amendments which now rule out that big clubs can still enter the Champions League based on their past success despite not qualifying via their league, which had raised fears of the closed league.
The Champions League will be increased by four teams as planned last year to 36 teams who will be put into one league and play eight games against as many opponents - four each home and away - under the so-called Swiss model.
The eight top finishers advance into the last 16 and those placed ninth to 24th go into play-offs to determine the other eight sides.
The four additional entry slots will go to the thirdplaced team in the league of the fifth-best association, an additional winner of the Champions Path qualifiers, and two teams from associations with “the best collective performance by their clubs in the previous season.”
If the changes were in place now, England and the Netherlands would get those additional slots in the next Champions League, UEFA said.
“UEFA has clearly shown today that we are fully committed to respecting the fundamental values of sport and to defending the key principle of open competitions, with qualification based on sporting merit, fully in line with the values and solidarity-based European sports model,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said.
“Today’s decisions conclude an extensive consultation process during which we listened to the ideas of fans, players, coaches, national associations, clubs and leagues to name but a few, with the aim to find the best solution for the development and success of European football, both domestically and on the international club stage.
“We are convinced that the format chosen strikes the right balance and that it will improve the competitive balance and generate solid revenues that can be distributed to clubs, leagues and into grassroots football across our continent while increasing the appeal and popularity of our club competitions.”
Big clubs had called for more guaranteed income from the Champions League and last year’s first agreements coincided with the announcement from 12 clubs of an all but closed Super League which however collapsed swiftly amid protests from the vast majority of the football community.
eal Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have not buried the Super League idea but Ceferin said that Tuesday’s decision was backed by all stakeholders such as UEFA, the European Club Association, European Leagues and national associations and “another proof that European football is more united than ever.”
“Qualification will thus remain purely based on sporting performance and the dream to participate will remain for all clubs.” UEFA said that similar format changes would also apply from 2024 for the lower tier Europa League and Europa Conference Leagues.
The Champions League will be increased by four teams as planned last year to 36 teams who will be put into one league and play eight games against as many opponents - four each home and away - under the socalled Swiss model.