UEFA announced that the Champions League format will be changed from the 2018/19 season to allow the top four leagues in Europe – now England, Italy, Spain and Germany – a guaranteed four places each in the group stages.
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But as of 2018/19, this will change, with the top four leagues around Europe handed four automatic spots.
However, the coefficient system will be revamped with clubs judged only on their own records and historical success in European competition also acknowledged. Ironically, France and Portugal, whose clubs eliminated the fourth-placed sides from Italy and Spain in this week’s play-off round, are likely to see their allocations cut under the new announcement.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the chairman of the European Clubs’ Association, described it as “a serious and fair solution” for European club.
This is due to Italy’s global coefficient rankings being lower than those of the Premier League, the Spanish Liga or the German Bundesliga, all of which get four teams.
UEFA uses a complicated coefficient system to rank the leagues, based on the results of their clubs during the previous five seasons.
Italy is the big victor in the new agreement, which had to be completed this year to let UEFA start selling broadcasting and sponsorship rights for the 2018-21 commercial cycle.
Europe’s top four leagues to be guaranteed four places in the Champions League group stage from 2018-19. They will avoid the risk of losing in the playoff qualifying round and miss tens of millions of euros (dollars) in UEFA prize money.
TEHRAN, Rostov Iranian midfielder Saeid Ezatollahi, who has spent a year in Atletico Madrid C, is quite excited after the Russian side was drawn in Group D of the UEFA Champions League alongside his former team Atletico Madrid, giant Bayern Munich and Dutch champion PSV Eindhoven.
The big clubs claim that too many places in the group stage to clubs from smaller countries who are not competitive.
“It’s not really a point to prove, but being involved in the Champions League is much better for me when I was at City”.
Do you agree with the new changes for the Champions League group stage entries? Currently, the Europa victor can be made to qualify through the playoffs.
Competition in the Premier League is strong this season, with Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal all expected to challenge for the top four places.
Europa League, just like its “sibling” the Champions League, is a truly global event that certainly every football fan around the world is waiting for. Those look to be at risk.
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-Financial distribution to clubs will be increased significantly for both competitions.
