As the super rich clubs drive for more and more control over the money being generated by the Champions League the ECA (European Club Association) has been virtually powerless as it negotiates with UEFA, virtually nodding the reforms through.
Maintaining a couple of group places through the Champions Route seems to be the extent of the ECA ambitions while supporters become more and more disillusioned at one sided mates with the prize money generally going towards the same elite clubs.
Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich have been left on the outside of the latter stages of this season’s competition but while fans marvel at Ajax and measure the success of Spurs it seems that the mega clubs are planning another power grab.
@EuropeanLeagues President Lars-Christer Olsson addressing to an audience of more than 200 clubs: “The ECA concept will give “European security” for a limited number of rich clubs and nothing at all for the rest of us” pic.twitter.com/EtsEjFQYFd
— European Leagues (@EuropeanLeagues) May 7, 2019
President of @LaLiga and @EuropeanLeagues Board Memer, @Tebasjavier addressing to the clubs: “Does ECA represent the clubs? Why is ECA entitled to drive decisions affecting all ?
Changes shall be made with the agreement of the leagues. We will never accept to be just consulted” pic.twitter.com/7UjM3NMUb1— European Leagues (@EuropeanLeagues) May 7, 2019
????| Impact of reforms on away fans.
????”The proposed reforms will have a direct effect on every football fan in Europe. European games at weekends are a no-go. That would mean even more league games midweek, which will be a catastrophe for every travelling supporter.” pic.twitter.com/yV4gZsKCmE
— FansEurope (@FansEurope) May 7, 2019
????| Backroom deals
????”We’re not against all change. We know things need to improve. But the lack of transparency around these reforms paints a terrible picture about how decisions affecting all football fans are being made.”
— FansEurope (@FansEurope) May 7, 2019
Creating an elite by setting up four groups of eight teams with the top six automatically qualifying for the tournament the following season is one idea being put forward with the prospect of weekend matches also on the agenda.
Domestic leagues are already losing out by being unable to show live matches on television in opposition to Champions League fixtures with the move to weekend games a massive threat to the domestic game.
While the talking goes on Celtic face four rounds of qualifiers starting on July 9/10 to reach the group phase of the Champions League which is likely to add a minimum of £30m to turnover.
UEFA’s Executive Committee meet today to advance plans for Champions League reform for the 2021-2024 cycle.
