Champions League reform mooted

Following on from this BBC report a few weeks back:

Champions League matches could be played at weekends from 2021.

The idea is one of several being discussed by European governing body Uefa as it looks to maximise interest in its flagship club competition.

Change to the Champions League schedule would not happen for at least five years because of broadcasting cycles.

"We are in constant dialogue with all stakeholders and any decisions will be taken in agreement with them," said a Uefa spokesman.

"It is far too early to speculate about changes to the formats of our club competitions."

The Champions League, previously known as the European Cup, has been played as a midweek competition since 1968.

Its final was played in midweek until 2010 but now takes place on a Saturday.

Weekend games could be staged at times more suited to the television audience in the Far East but would require changes to domestic schedules.

That bolded part - literally £#%&! off.

& that meeting the "top teams" had about automatic qualification - it's being reported in L'Équipe that both could happen - w/e games & the big boys there regardless:

Changes to the Champions League could be coming: L'Équipe claim that games could be played on Saturday & big teams could be assured a place.

Progress?

Or %@#$&!s?

Don't they play some matches in Spain at midnight just for the TV ?

The assured places is inevitable unfortunately.

There's no way the biggest clubs want small details such as how competently the club is being run and how well the team is actually performing to get in the way of them hogging most of the money.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

The assured places is inevitable unfortunately.

There's no way the biggest clubs want small details such as how competently the club is being run and how well the team is actually performing to get in the way of them hogging most of the money.

The assured places will affect the domestic leagues.

If there are no CL places to fight for, then basically once the top two pull away the domestic season is over. £#%&! assured places. If you're not good enough to qualify via your domestic league (or by winning the CL or EL itself), then you can't be in the CL.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

The assured places is inevitable unfortunately.

There's no way the biggest clubs want small details such as how competently the club is being run and how well the team is actually performing to get in the way of them hogging most of the money.

Unintended consequence of the FFP regulations?

Can't see the English clubs agreeing to weekend games

From a marketing and economic perspective the Premier League is bigger than the Champions League so not a chance they will £#%&! around with the Premier League schedule to allow weekend European matches
That proposed idea is dead in the water

Guaranteed places in something I can definitely see coming in as a further move towards a European Super League

£#%&!ing depressing isn't it
The sooner football eats itself and explodes into a million pieces the better

money is destroying the game.

Originally Posted by itisme_panaflex

money is destroying the game.

McGregor needs to batter him and soon.

Won't be long before the franchises are moved to be closer to the markets they earn the most from

Originally Posted by ZiggyStardust

Can't see the English clubs agreeing to weekend games

From a marketing and economic perspective the Premier League is bigger than the Champions League so not a chance they will £#%&! around with the Premier League schedule to allow weekend European matches
That proposed idea is dead in the water

Guaranteed places in something I can definitely see coming in as a further move towards a European Super League

£#%&!ing depressing isn't it
The sooner football eats itself and explodes into a million pieces the better

Because they will do anything for money

Sounds awful tbh. Needs to go back the other way. Straight knockout, Champions and runners up only, no seedings etc. Shit like that.

Shit competition tbh. All hype no substance.

european football really should give more weight to far east viewing habits.

or just £#%&! right off.

Load of shit

Pleased we're not in it anymore

straight knock-out tournament midweek wednesday, league format (16 teams) concurrent (2 divisions) with games throughout the calendar, reduce domestic league size to 16, make league cup optional entry...

it will happen.

'assured places' to begin with, with relegation/promotion from season 2 (inc 4 up 4 down between the 2 euro divisions).

european cup knock-out comp to involve all domestic champions, the euro league champs, and the reigning euro cup winners, with the winner guaranteed euro league the next season.

all domestic champions (not already in the euro league) to have play-offs to get promoted to the euro league, with 4 winners entering euro div 2 each season, replacing bottom 4 - unless one of those has won the euro cup, obviously ;-}

Originally Posted by Albert Tatlock

Don't they play some matches in Spain at midnight just for the TV ?

They tried it 2 years ago. Was 11am UK time kick offs which is bad heat wise for them lot

Have the first round as a seeded knockout round to get rid of some of the guff, THEN have the group stage, preferably unseeded.

Remember when they used to have two group stages? Some decent matches tbf, but seems bizarre now looking back.

Originally Posted by Baron

Unintended consequence of the FFP regulations?

It doesn't matter, it's a moo point

Originally Posted by bigMikeA

It doesn't matter, it's a moo point

Originally Posted by Child of Darkness

Won't be long before the franchises are moved to be closer to the markets they earn the most from

Yes, it will.

No guaranteed qualification, seeded group stage but only no teams advance from each group, any game drawn is decided by goal difference in that game. Simples.

Originally Posted by Grimson

No guaranteed qualification, seeded group stage but only no teams advance from each group, any game drawn is decided by goal difference in that game. Simples.

Huh? So no one qualifies, ever..?