The plan was set to come into place from 2024
UEFA have confirmed that they have dropped the controversial idea to allow two clubs with a strong historical record in Europe to qualify ahead of other sides that previously would qualify on sporting merit.
What will the new Champions League format look like?
UEFA announced that as of 2024, the Champions League will expand from 32 to 36 teams.
This sparked outrage from Premier League clubs following the news that the European football governing body were considering reserving two extra places for clubs with a strong UEFA coefficient based on their performances in Europe over the last five seasons.
Had the idea been implemented, it could mean Manchester United could theoretically finish sixth or seventh and still qualify ahead of sides above them in the table.
However as confirmed by The Times, UEFA told a working group of the European Club Association (ECA) that the idea of “leapfrogging” shouldn’t be allowed and fifth place should be reserved for a side that has failed to qualify automatically by finishing in the top four of the Premier League.
That side however would still need to have one of the two highest UEFA coefficient ranking amongst their fellow unqualified teams in contention to ensure their place in the Champions League.
A decision is expected to be made soon
Members of UEFA believe that guaranteeing the biggest sides in Europe a place in the Champions League would boost the value of media rights, while critics have labelled it as a Super League-like betrayal of competition.
UEFA insiders have claimed that work is still ongoing to finalise how the two extra spots will be awarded, and any use of coefficients would be deemed controversial given that it would give historically more successful and richer clubs a substantial advantage against others.
The governing body’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, had previously signalled that the idea could be scrapped, stating that there should be “more places for smaller and mainly, to be honest, mid-size leagues”.
It is expected that a final decision on the measures will be made in May.
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