Politics
European Leagues chief slams European Super League plans that could allow SIX English teams in Champions League
EUROPEAN Leagues chief Lars Christer Olsson says the planned revamp of Uefa competitions are the “most significant” in 30 years – and will change the landscape for the next decade.
Swede Olsson, a former Uefa general secretary, is joining the Premier League in trying to neuter some of the proposals for a 36-team single table under the so-called “Swiss model”.
The future format of European competition currently hangs in the balance[/caption]
Olsson, who represents Europe’s top flight divisions, aims to restrict the planned 100 extra Champions League games and prevent “historical coefficients” giving under-performing big clubs a backdoor route into the competition.
He said: “The answer is absolutely not a private Super League and these plans are better than the ones in 2019 that would have destroyed football, an effective closed shop.
“But this is the most important decision since the introduction of the Champions League in the early 1990s, so it must be made by all stakeholders – including clubs, leagues and associations.
“Uefa proposes these changes should be valid for three cycles, which means until 2033.
“That makes sense because it gives stability for the entire market but it means it will last and change things for a decade or longer.”
Prem chief executive Richard Masters, who spoke before Olsson at the FT Business of Football Summit, said: “It’s Uefa’s job to reform the competition, format and access.
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“Our key principles are around protecting the weekends, protecting access so qualification is principally through domestic competitions and also about the volume of games.
“We are not resistant to change but what we are looking for is a continuation of that strong relationship between Uefa and the Leagues that doesn’t tip the balance one way or the other.
“What we do not want is a proposal that would be disruptive to the value of domestic football across Europe.”
