EUROPEAN FOOTBALL’S GOVERNING body are considering scrapping the Europa League in favour of extending the Champions League, UEFA president Michel Platini told Wednesday’s edition of the daily Ouest-France.
Asked about possible plans to extend the elite Champions League at the expense of the second-tier Europa League, Platini said: “There is an ongoing debate to determine what form the European competitions will have between 2015 and 2018. We’re discussing it, we will make a decision in 2014. Nothing is decided yet.”
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One of the options being looked at is the possibility of extending the final phase of the Champions League from 32 to 64 teams.
The Europa League generates far lower revenue for clubs than the Champions League and has been criticised since it evolved from the UEFA Cup in 2009.
Meanwhile, the UEFA president said that he was not worried by talk of the creation by Europe’s rich clubs of a competition to rival the Champions League.
“It’s a question that is regularly brought up,” said the former French midfielder.
“It doesn’t worry me. I can’t see how it could work outside the UEFA framework. Who will referee them? In what stadiums will they play? A lot of people want them? I don’t think so.”
A good idea if done right. Teams that win their domestic league should be rewarded for doing so though with a bye to the latter stages.
Europa league is getting worse every year and big clubs aren’t putting out their best teams.
It makes sense to scrap it
I agree with that. This year was the first time I remember where there was actuay a group of “champions” in the champions league.
Naturally you want to see all of the big teams in Europe. But you scrap a degree of prestige by doing so. The European cup format pre champions league was very good. Of course UEFA wouldn’t make as much money though.
there’s too many games in Europa league, without the money to make up for it, that’s why teams play weaker sides….scrap the group stage and go straight knockout I think, less games and make for a more exciting competition
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A good idea if done right. Teams that win their domestic league should be rewarded for doing so though with a bye to the latter stages.
Europa league is getting worse every year and big clubs aren’t putting out their best teams.
It makes sense to scrap it
Stupid idea..
No only league winners should compete in CL , not 2nd, 3rd, fourth etc…. Only 1st place and the rest go into the Europa league
I agree with that. This year was the first time I remember where there was actuay a group of “champions” in the champions league.
Naturally you want to see all of the big teams in Europe. But you scrap a degree of prestige by doing so. The European cup format pre champions league was very good. Of course UEFA wouldn’t make as much money though.
there’s too many games in Europa league, without the money to make up for it, that’s why teams play weaker sides….scrap the group stage and go straight knockout I think, less games and make for a more exciting competition
They should of just left it as the UEFA Cup