Gill wants Champions League change

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has called for the Champions League second group stage to be restored.

Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson and Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger were among the major soccer figures to welcome the new format, which was launched last year after complaints leading stars were being asked to play too many matches and that there were too many meaningless games.

On the eve of the second week of opening group ties, which see Manchester United entertain Fenerbahce this evening, Gill outlined the financial implications of the move by revealing United had suffered a £6m (€8.8m) loss of income from the tournament last season.

And, when the current contract comes to its conclusion in May 2006, Gill believes the competition should be restored to its original format.

“I think all the big clubs would have preferred to keep the second stage of the Champions League,” he said.

“We don’t believe the change actually addressed the problem because the second group stage was actually the better one.”