Two extra CL spots for 2024

THE Premier League is set to have five teams in the Champions League under reforms that are being approved by UEFA. Following fury over plans to hand out places based on results over a five-year period — which many criticised as a diluted version of the Super League — two extra spots will be awarded to the nations who performed best in Europe. So this season, teams from England and Holland would take the extra slots. The plans end two years of difficult discussions between clubs, leagues and UEFA over the format of the competition from 2024. Under the new format, the Champions League will be expanded from 32 to 36 teams with one league table and clubs playing eight matches against opponents of different rankings to decide who goes through to the knockout stages. European Club Association chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi said: ‘We believe the new proposals are fair, proportionate, inclusive and positive for fans. We also believe the proposals will drive revenue growth, which will be redistributed for the benefit of all across European football.’