http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2915...sidering-scrapping-europa-league-in-favour-of Uefa president Michel Platini has contemplated the idea of scrapping the Europa League in favour of extending the Champions League to 64 teams in four years time, according to Bild. In what would be the biggest shake-up in Europe's club competitions since the rebranding of the European Cup to its current form in 1992, the former France midfielder is reportedly planning on creating a single continental tournament. Currently, the secondary competition generates far lower revenue for clubs than is produced by the Champions League, a problem Platini is increasingly concerned about, while it has been a target for much criticism since its evolution from the Uefa Cup in 2009. To address this, Platini wants to increase the number of teams in the Champions League group stage to 64 teams in 2016, effectively absorbing most of the clubs from the Europa League. Renowned European nations such as Spain, England and Germany would then be given six league berths each in their respective top-flight divisions. In addition, the reform would ensure more scope would be given to lesser countries, including those from the likes of Latvia, Belarus and Slovakia.
Shocking idea by platini. Put in small clubs who already struggle in Europa league in with the likes of Barcelona/Madrid/Bayern etc to watch them get thrashed 10-0. Ya, everyone will want to see that.
That's exactly what that is. I hope it doesn't happen. There's already far too many teams now, the last thing it needs is more cannon fodder
The Champions League has been watered down enough over the past few years with the new qualifying format.I can't see how adding the likes of Skonto Riga and Slovan Bratislava would improve matters.
No way, they want a league to generate money not throw it away with lost revenue by straight knock outs and a quicker competition. Oh btw, Platini and co, great idea for the likes of Liverpool at the moment.
It will be 16 groups and that will add 2 more games for clubs going all the way. Personally I would love to see a straight KO competition over 2 legs and scrap the group stages
champions league is rubbish now.i couldnt be bothered watching it until it gets to the quarters, sure you might get the odd good game, but the season liverpool had something like a point at the turn around point in the group(think it was 07/08 with marseilles and one of the turkish teams in the group) and still got out of the group summed up how poor its gone the last while in the groups.
I remember there was an experiment for 1 or 2 seasons when there was 2 group stages.Think it was 2002/2003,It was the most drawn out affair ever and was painful to watch.
It will mean a long season for fifth and sixth i presume they will enter the quallifying stages and it will mean an earlier start to the season god knows how many games over a whole season
Should only be the top team from each league. Champions being the main word in the Name. I know people will say we wouldnt have won it in 05 but id prefer to see it that way. Mightnt be exciting though.
Hi, I've mixed views on this one. First, I see little point in having a "Champions" league with anything other than each nations champions in it ... so the name as to change. Infact, it should have been done years ago. Second, while having 64 teams competing in this new proposed league would put massive pressure on teams with all the potential extra games, the potential opportunity for smaller teams to earn higher revenue than they currently earn from the Europa must be a good thing. Otherwise, too few clubs earn too much and the rest get left to slowly disappear ... I know in practice this is unlikely to happen often, with some of the minnows still getting creamed, but it's at least possible now. Also, from time to time smaller clubs have a young gifted player or two and this may help them retain them etc. Third, I think some form of Group stage/ pre-qualifying tournament would be needed, to help control the potential number of games, not to mention keep viewers interested. This would help to remove the risk that idman81 has referenced above, with scores of 10-1 popping up etc. Ultimately, I'm in favour of some form of Euro Super League so I guess that puts a slant on some of my comments, I guess ....
Personally I'd like to see a KO competition from day 1 and a straight draw no seeds , you will always get a shock result But will never happen . Even seeded and a straight KO over 2 legs would be better than the present set up.
Totally agree. That would naturally lead to a far stronger,more credible 2nd competition in the UEFA Cup or whatever they choose to call it. It already needs hauling back from where it is now, not diluting it even further, but I suppose it is all about the money so, sadly, that`s how it will probably go.
Always thought it should be the champions from every country but then to be honest it would be a weaker competition as half the champions wouldn't be as good as a lot of the clubs that come 2-4 in England Italy Spain and Germany.
I think that the current system works just fine, adding more teams will only dilute the competition, the problem is with the Europa league, it needs to be jazzed up a bit, giving the two teams who make the final a place in the champions league qualifying rounds might give the incentive to teams who presently don't take the Europa league too seriously
I like your thinking mate. Definitely would make the prize for reaching the final a bit more, of interest ....