UEFA propose radical changes to League format

ENGLISH clubs will dominate the pot of top seeds in today’s Champions League draw, but before the names are drawn out of the hat UEFA are due to announce sweeping changes to the format of the competition.

All four English representatives – Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal – are set to be among the eight top-seeded clubs which means they will avoid holders AC Milan, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona in the group stage of Europe’s elite club competition.

UEFA president Michel Platini is expected to confirm today the details of his plans to open up the Champions League to wider competition, specifically by giving domestic cup winners an opportunity to make it into the 32-team group phase.