Michel Platini has revealed plans to expand the Champions League from 32 to 64 clubs.
In an interview with French newspaper Ouest-Ftance the UEFA President explained the reasoning behind the idea which could see the Europa League axed.
Despite the best efforts of UEFA the Europa League has fallen by the wayside as the Champions League attracts more and more interest, attention and sponsorship.
Celtic received around £1.5m for taking part in last season’s Europa League but can expect at least ten times that amount from participating in this season’s Champions League.
Reaching the last 16 of the Champions League would be worth at least £3m for Celtic with Platini concerned that the Europa League is being constantly devalued by clubs more concerned by their domestic leagues.
“We’re discussing it., we will make a decision in 2014.” Platini stated. ” Nothing is decided yet,” There is an ongoing debate to determine what form the European competitions will have between 2015 and 2018.”
Increasing the tournament
to 64 teams is likely to be resisted by the most powerful European clubs who want a greater share of the income they believe they are attracting.
The practicalities of a 64 team competition would also be difficult to resolve and would require eight groups of eight of 16 groups of four. Since the Champions League started in 1991 it has been based on groups of four ensuring that every qualifier gets at least six matches.
At present all of the sponsorship and media income is centralised and paid out in accordance with the progress that teams make although there is a weighing system that pays out more to clubs from the countries that contribute the biggest broadcasting money.
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why not change to a maximum of 2 teams from each country and do away with a qualifing round then some of the smaller leagues might benefit
this might actually become the european league there has been talk of – 4 leagues of 16 (regional or maybe random – but no doubt with seeds), play each other twice (home/away), then the top 4 from each league go on to the knockout stage. – would be great, but expensive for the fans during away games.
4 leagues of 16 would be great for us…..UEFA need to do something to spice things up
Will this include Scottish Third Division teams who are not yet six months old? 🙂
Only if they can provide 3 years of accounts and not be in any form of debt to a inland revenue department. 🙂
The most powerful clubs in Europe will not buy this because it will dilute the Champions League quality. Unless it starts becoming an invite only splinter tournament.