September 5 – UEFA’s decision to amend the Champions League format from the 2018/19 season in favour of the most powerful clubs has, not surprisingly, been widely welcomed by Europe’s leading clubs.
As of the season after next, the top four teams from the four highest-ranked associations will go directly into the group stage without having to qualify, a move that will represent the main item of discussion when the European Clubs Association (ECA) meets today and tomorrow for its annual assembly.
The UEFA proposal has already been unanimously endorsed by the ECA Executive Board and is in line with the principles that were put forward by ECA Members in order to increase sporting quality and competitive balance, and maximise commercial success.
ECA Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “I welcome UEFA’s decision, it reflects a serious and fair solution for European club football. I am particularly pleased with the fact that the European football community remains united moving forward.”
ECA members also seem likely to further discuss their opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to expand the World Cup from 32 to 40 teams though there seems very little the clubs can do about it.
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