Platini urges radical Euro qualifying rethink

NO more play-offs, smaller groups and a two-phase qualifying competition are among the major changes to the 2016 European Championship being proposed by Michel Platini.

The UEFA president revealed his plans to Europe’s 53 member federations in Cyprus last month at the start of his second term of office. The proposed changes arise from the expansion of the final stages in France to 24 teams, and the need to increase interest in the qualifying competition.

According to France Football magazine, Platini’s plans provide for 13 groups of 4 teams in Phase One of the revamped preliminary round, which would begin in September 2014.