Champions League set for revamp

[Flatters]

Uefa is set to revamp the Champions League on Friday with the top three clubs in the Premier League qualifying for the group stages from 2009.

Under the plans, the fourth-placed side will now face a play-off against a team from another of Europe's leagues.

The Scottish champions will also go straight into the group stages but the runners-up face two qualifying rounds.

Previously in England, the top two sides qualified by right and the next two joined the third qualifying round.

It is likely the fourth-placed Premier League side will face a tougher play-off compared to playing in the third qualifying round of the Champions League against weaker opponents.

In Scotland, the champions have previously needed to come through a qualifying round.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7120518.stm


Does this mean that it will be no different to the teams finishing 1st and 2nd? Just that it will be 1st to 3rd now rather just the top 2 who qualify automatically, and with 4th having a tougher task to qualify than before?

 

[joey55]

It sounds like it will be tougher for the 4th placed team. This means making the kind of investment needed in our squad to have a realistic chance of CL qualification is now an even less attractive propostion than it previously was.

 

[SpurSince57]

This is presumably the compromise that's come from Platini's attempt to have cup winners given the fourth qualifying spot.

 

[idlepete]

I don't think we have to start worrying about what hardships we'll face if we finish fourth just yet.

 

[Partizan]

Does the team that loses the playoff get UEFA cup consolation or are they eliminated from everything?

 

[roguepsi]

This plan sounds ok. A bit convoluted but addresses the mockery that is the early rounds to a certain extent.

 

[tobi]

Platini's world domination plan begins...