UEFA’s proposals for Champions League reform has been branded a disaster that would destroy domestic league.
The warning came from La Liga president Javier Tebas as plans to further streamline UEFA’s premier tournament are being finalised.
Consultation with the club based European Club Association has virtually rubber stamped changes that would introduce 14 midweek group matches with the door virtually closing on clubs outwith the five richest countries in Europe.
The European Leagues, representing 35 leagues from 28 countries including the SPFL have vowed to oppose the changes and have the backing of the leagues of Spain, Italy, France and Germany even though clubs from those countries would benefit from the windfall.
Champions League football on 28 different nights between September and January under the current regulations would devastate domestic football and severely restrict the options for domestic television deals.
More generally the chances of any club ‘doing an Ajax’ would be further reduced thanks to access regulations and a further concentration of prize money among ‘elite’ clubs.
Covering Tebas’ comments today The Independent reports:
Speaking at the Financial Times’ Business of Football Summit in London today, the Spaniard said: “The proposals from the ECA and UEFA are a disaster for European football. They would destroy domestic leagues by relegating them to the fourth tier of European competition.
“They would concentrate even more wealth at the top and essentially close the top tier – we can’t allow that to happen.”
Asked what he would do instead, Tebas said: “I would propose not to change it at all. These proposals are not to reform the Champions League, they are to create an entirely new competition. We don’t need that. What we have is working.”
As things stand four Champions Route places remain open to clubs like Celtic and Ajax with the Scottish champions having to go through four rounds of qualifying.
The new UEFA proposals are for four groups of eight teams with the top five from each group assured of a place the following season regardless of how they perform in their domestic league.
There has been no comment from the SPFL, SFA or Celtic on the proposed changes to the Champions League which would also see the creation of a third European trophy open only to clubs outwith the top 20 performing nations.