Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has restated his belief that Champions League reform will benefit the whole of European football.
UEFA have announced changes to the format from season 18/19 that will provide four group stage places for teams from the four leading countries and a dramatic shift in prize money.
With middle ranking countries being squeezed out qualification for Celtic will mean four qualifying rounds which could see them come up against champions from some of those countries missing out on automatic qualification.
Over recent years the Champions League last eight has become a closed shop as the bigger clubs get richer and pick off the players and prospects from ‘poorer’ nations with ease.
The European Professional Football Leagues, which includes the SPFL, are opposed to the plans but seem to be slow off the mark with their alternative plans with a proposal for a 48 team Champions League completely missing the point.
Speaking at a European Club Association meeting Rummenigge said: “The club competition reform is without a single doubt very good news for all clubs in Europe. Everyone in European club football, and I am saying this with total conviction, will benefit from this reform.
“It is a fair, qualitative and serious decision that speaks to our solidarity in European club football. The reform will make the Champions League more emotional and stronger than ever before.
“I am convinced that we will find a good solution as well for 2021-24, which will further highlight our unity.”
Prior to the meeting, in a not very well disguised warning to dissenters Rummenigge claimed that the ECA had rejected an alternative Super League proposal allegedly devised by a USA based consortium.
The proposal involved a new 24 team set up with 16 permanent members with eight qualifiers built around SEVEN English clubs, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund plus leading clubs from Spain and Italy.