Quantcast
Latest News

UK associations push UEFA for decision that will be impact on domestic campaigns

|
Image for UK associations push UEFA for decision that will be impact on domestic campaigns

A report in the Daily Record has revealed that UEFA are planning scaled down versions of the Champions League and Europa League for next season which would involve early decisions on the current domestic campaigns.

Domestic football was suspended on March 13 with UEFA forced to halt their competitions at the same time despite some first leg ties in both of their competitions being played.

Last week UEFA hosted a conference call that postponed the European Championships for 12 months and expressed the hope that domestic leagues are completed by June 30.

That date looks increasingly unlikely to be met which would have a knock-on impact on next season’s UEFA qualifiers with the first of four qualifying rounds due to start in the second week of July.This season Celtic played the first leg of their first round qualifier against Sarajevo on July 9.

As recently as last week Celtic chief Peter Lawwell expressed his preference that the current campaign is resumed and completed but according to the Record it is looking increasingly likely that the current positions will be declared final for the purpose of next season’s UEFA competitions.

The Record reports:

We can reveal talks have begun behind the scenes about condensing the qualifying rounds for next season’s European competitions with a potential plan to scrap two-legged ties and settle them in one off matches instead.

And now the game’s leaders in the UK are calling for clear instructions over how to begin planning ahead for those qualifiers in the event that current domestic campaign cannot be re-started over the summer.

This could force the hand of the SPFL and the English Premier League into declaring current league leaders Celtic and Liverpool as champions even though their respective campaigns have still to be completed.

A source close to the discussions told Record Sport : “Football has to face up to reality and quickly. The Champions League and the Europa League generate the vast majority of UEFA’s revenues.

“If next year’s competitions are to take place in line with the current timetable for 2020/21, then UEFA need to issue an edict to the 55 national associations, requesting that they inform them who their respective champions are by the 30th of June at the latest.

“For that to happen, the leagues clearly require to be completed or curtailed by then – or else national associations will have to nominate their European clubs with the possibility that different clubs will finish in the qualification positions!”

UEFA competitions are backed by massive contracts with broadcasters and sponsors who are currently losing out on the key stages of the 2019/20 season.

A new round of contracts will run from 2021 to 2024 such as the one for BT Sport to carry UK TV rights. Any further curtailment of the current contracts could lead to the 2021-2014 being renegotiated.

Videocelts Extension Button

Share this article

Online and independent- the only way to be. Enjoying instant news access and reaction, following the trends if not an influencer!