Masters hopeful of a UEFA rethink
PREMIER League chief executive Richard Masters believes there is still an opportunity for UEFA to tweak the post-2024 Champions League format amid concerns over its impact on the domestic game.
The plans for a 36-team group stage with four extra matches per club were approved by UEFA’s executive committee on April 19, but were completely overshadowed by the announcement of a breakaway European Super League the previous evening.
The swift collapse of the ESL has led to suggestions that a wider rethink of the best way forward for European club competitions is now likely, and Masters said: “UEFA’s process for fine-tuning their competition package post-24 is ongoing, and we have in the past registered our views about the number of games.
“I mean, clearly 10 group-stage games bumps straight into the English football calendar and, particularly with the League Cup, creates significant issues.
“We know too that some of our clubs are not supportive of the co-efficient method of qualification, so it remains to be seen what is happening.”
Masters’ last remark referred to a change around qualification for the Champions League, with two places per season reserved for clubs who miss out via the usual domestic route but have the best historical record.
Premier League bosses have pointed out that could allow traditional big clubs to ‘leapfrog’ into Europe’s most lucrative competition and impact on the integrity of domestic leagues, including the English top flight.
Supporters share the same concerns over the new format and expressed those worries directly to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
The Football Supporters’ Association came away encouraged by Ceferin’s commitment to consulting and engaging with fans “before any final decision is reached” on the shape of European competition from 2024 onwards.
Ceferin said: “Fans are the heart of football and we need to do more to engage them as a legitimate stakeholder. They have much to contribute and we should give them a voice on important relevant matters.”
The Premier League is undertaking its own investigation into the circumstances surrounding the involvement of the competition’s ‘Big Six’ in the ESL breakaway.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that this season’s final between Manchester City and Chelsea has been moved from Istanbul and will now be played in Porto, Portugal.