Top leagues oppose Champions League reform

Europe’s top leagues have rejected UEFA president Michel Platini’s plans to change the rules for Champions League qualification.

European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), who represent the likes of the Premier League, the German Bundesliga and Spain’s La Liga, today dismissed Platini’s proposal to have cup winners qualify automatically for a money-spinning spot in the world’s most important club competition.

And Platini’s attempt to boost the role of smaller nations in the tournament, which would see the top leagues restricted to no more than three representatives, were also shot down.

The Premier League – who currently supply four entrants – were among those to oppose the quota cut as the EPFL urged the former France star to abandon his overhaul following their General Assembly meeting in Cardiff.

EPFL director general Emanuel Macedo de Madeiros said: “It’s important we look after the clubs’ interests and these are just two things which are concerning us.

“We believe what is being proposed is not in the best interests, though, of the leagues.

“UEFA is the ultimate entity that is responsible for the Champions League, but we are concerned at the impact and the amendments being discussed.”

England, like Spain and Italy, currently receive four Champions League berths, two guaranteed and two via the qualifying competition, and the clubs will fight to cling to a status quo which rewards the leagues in the most lucrative TV markets.

Any changes to the format eventually sanctioned would not, however, come into force until the 2009-10 season.

Macedo de Madeiros added: “We understand it’s vital for European football to have strong domestic leagues and anything which could affect negatively the league’s competitions would be detrimental to the whole of European football.”