Europe’s top clubs are reportedly set to have a secret meeting with UEFA this week to discuss potential changes to the Champions League.
The Wall Street Journal reports clubs will meet in Nyon for the first formal talks over ‘radical’ changes to the format of the competition.
It is claimed that a promotion and relegation system will be discussed as well as the potential of moving matches to weekends.
UEFA are set to meet with the European Club Association, who have long been calling for a revamp to the Champions League.
As things stand, teams qualify for Europe’s premier competition by virtue of their positions in their domestic leagues.
But a new closed qualifying process is set to be proposed, with the bigger clubs unsurprisingly in favour.
A system that sees sides promoted or relegated would make it increasingly harder for lesser sides to qualify for the Champions League.
Another proposal reportedly set to be discussed is for matches to be played on weekends.
Moving from midweek fixture dates would have enormous consequences on domestic leagues and those lesser sides in action.
A system that sees sides promoted or relegated would make it increasingly harder for lesser sides to qualify for the Champions League.
Another proposal reportedly set to be discussed is for matches to be played on weekends.
Moving from midweek fixture dates would have enormous consequences on domestic leagues and those lesser sides in action.
Any change that is agreed is unlikely to be introduced any time before 2024 but it appears this is the first time UEFA are seriously considering changing their prized asset.
The news comes as UEFA weigh up the possibility of playing the Champions League final outside of Eurpope due to the nightmare posed in Kiev last year.
Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano will host this year’s final in May.