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      Champions League revamp under threat as top European clubs clubs row with Uefa over competition’s commercial rights

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      THE new Champions League format has NOT been approved after a row over commercial rights.An expanded 36-team competition to begin in 2024 had been set for approval by Uefa’s executive committee on Wednesday, but will now not be rubber-stamped until at least the next ExCo meeting on April 19.
      The Champions League revamp has been delayed over commercial rightsCredit: Reuters
      It is understood the board of the European Club Association (ECA), which represents the views of the continent’s most powerful clubs, was split and could not give its formal support to the Uefa proposal when it met on Monday.
      This was because some clubs remain convinced they should control the commercial aspects of the competition, such as television and sponsorship rights.
      ECA members dominate the Uefa club competitions committee which met on Tuesday morning, and it is understood that because the reform package did not have their approval it could not go forward to the executive committee.
      Uefa said on Wednesday: “Uefa can confirm that a meeting of the executive committee will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, March 31, and that the future of club competitions post-2024 will be one of the topics discussed.
      “However, any official decision in this respect will only be made at the next Uefa executive committee meeting on April 19, in order to finalise ongoing discussions.”
      Commercial control of the new-look Champions League remains a key demand for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, who feel they have already made concessions in other areas.
      Earlier plans for a new Champions League format floated by the ECA in 2019 included a greater emphasis on qualification based on European rather than domestic performance.
      And there was also the idea of some matches being played at weekends to increase revenue because it would make the competition more attractive to broadcasters in the United States and Far East.
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      Those ideas have, to a great extent, been diluted out of the new proposals, but in return clubs are hanging on to the idea of greater ownership of the Champions League as a product.
      Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward told club investors earlier this month that he anticipated Uefa’s final proposal would ‘include a greater involvement of clubs in the governance and control of the competition’.
      When asked about discussions over the setting up of a new commercial vehicle earlier this month, Uefa said: “Ahead of every cycle of club competitions, Uefa engages with its stakeholders to determine how to maximise their success.”
      At the time that the discussion of a new commercial venture came to light, on March 19, a key fans’ group warned Uefa had to stand its ground or it would be allowing a de facto European Super League to take shape.
      Ronan Evain, the executive director of Football Supporters Europe (FSE), said: “If Uefa’s strategy is to give a little every three years to the big clubs so that they don’t break away, instead of giving away control of the competitions overnight it will happen within 10 years, but the result will be the same.
      “The model that we have seen will lead within a few years to a ‘de facto’ closed league. Maybe not 100 per cent closed, but it will only reinforce the wealth and influence of the big clubs.”
      Uefa’s ‘Horizon 2024’ proposals included the scrapping of the 32-team, eight-group format and replacing it with one 36-team league, where each team would play 10 matches on a seeded basis under the so-called ‘Swiss model’.
      ECA president Andrea Agnelli had described the format as ‘ideal’ and it had been expected that the measures would be pushed through on Wednesday, before the commercial disagreement.

      The Premier League is understood to have concerns about the impact of the format on the domestic calendar, particularly the fact that the competition would spill into January, which has traditionally been reserved for domestic football only.
      The changes to qualification are also an issue for the Premier League.
      Uefa is proposing that two of the extra four places in the group phase would be awarded to the teams with the strongest European pedigree – their club co-efficient – who missed out on Champions League qualification via the conventional route.
      This is provided the club had done enough to qualify for one of Uefa’s other two competitions.
      This could lead to a team in seventh leapfrogging teams finishing fifth or sixth in the Premier League into a more lucrative competition, which the English top flight fears would affect the integrity of its competition.
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      FA will tell Uefa they want 45,000 fans at Euro 2020 latter stages in boost for stadium return

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      FA CHIEFS will tell Uefa they want Wembley to hold 45,000 fans for the latter stages of Euro 2020.And that capacity could even be increased towards 60,000 if the vaccine roll-out and Covid scenario in the UK continues to go in the right direction.
      Fans could pour back into Wembley for the latter stages of Euro 2020Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Uefa has ordered all 12 potential hosts for the tournament to confirm their preferred crowd numbers by next Wednesday.
      A number of cities, including Dublin, Munich, Bilbao and Rome are thought to be struggling to get the green light from their regional or national governments to commit to fans in the stadium, even though Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has made that a precondition.
      A final announcement on venues is expected 48 hours after the deadline, on April 9.
      PM Boris Johnson has already confirmed the Government will be happy for the UK to host more games than the seven set for Wembley if Uefa needs help.
      And the possibility of up to two thirds – and maybe more – of Wembley’s full capacity being available for the four knockout games, including both semis and the final, is a further sign of FA confidence.
      Meanwhile, today’s meeting of Uefa’s ruling executive committee will formally disband the “30 per cent maximum” crowd figure announced in October for matches in European competitions.
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      That temporary measure, introduced after the successful return of fans at the Super Cup Final, has remained on the Uefa statute book over the winter and spring but will be updated to take current Covid conditions into account.
      A number of test events are planned across England before the planned reopening of venues on May 17.
      A crowd of 4,000 local residents is set to watch one of next month’s FA Cup semi-finals for one pilot.
      As many as 10,000 will be allowed into matches once the restriction is lifted but a 20,000-strong ‘test’ could be green-lit for the FA Cup final.
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      Europa League-type contest for women’s game among new ideas floated by European club chiefs

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      OFFICIALS representing the biggest football teams in Europe are mulling over proposals for a Europa League-style tournament for the women’s game. The idea for the competition and a women’s Club World Cup are among a raft of exciting new suggestions being considered by the European Club Association.
      European football chiefs are considering plans for a new club competition in addition to the Women’s Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Bigwigs from the body backed by Uefa and representing 232 clubs included the proposals in their ‘Be a Changemaker’ strategy launched today.
      The plan aims to provide opportunities to boost revenue for the women’s game and support the creation of new women’s football clubs. 
      Claire Bloomfield, the ECA’s head of women’s football said: “We have a responsibility to explore all opportunities that can help grow the competition landscape, both on a European level with a second-tier competition and then on a much more global scale, with a possible Club World Cup.”
      The Women’s Champions League is currently the only club contest in the sport involving sides from across Europe. 
      From next term, up to three English sides will be able to compete in the Champions League in a new structure to include a group stage and a round of 16 for the first time.
      ECA chief Charlie Marshall suggests a women’s Club World Cup may soon be established as part of plans to support the international growth of the game.
      In men’s football, the Club World Cup has been going since the year 2000, with winners of the biggest competitions from different continents going head-to-head.
      German giants Bayern Munich are the current defending champions after beating Mexican outfit Tigres in February.
      ECA chief Marshall said: “The prospect of a Club World Cup, fairly soon in the women’s game, assuming that calendars can be resolved, is a really exciting one and I know FIFA is very keen on it as well
      “In the women’s game, there is much more potential, much more quickly, to develop global competitive balance.”
      The women’s game could soon have its own Europa League-style competitionCredit: PA

      Chelsea boss Emma Hayes believes the ECA’s new plans could help level the playing field between women’s football and the men’s game. 
      Hayes, whose team are due to play Wolfsburg said: “Our success on the pitch can be helped by winning off the pitch and ECA’s bold new plans can drive an even higher performance culture throughout the women’s game.
      “The standards in elite women’s football should not be any different from the men’s and this strategy has the potential to start closing the gap.”
      A Club World Cup for the women’s game has been included in proposals developed by the ECACredit: Getty
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      Uefa set for huge Financial Fair Play revamp due to coronavirus pandemic with clubs allowed to spend more on transfers

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      UEFA have admitted that Covid has forced it to fundamentally change Financial Fair Play rules.But there will not be a financial free for all, with new rules put in place.
      Andrea Traverso addressed the EU regarding Uefa’s plansCredit: Getty
      And Euro chiefs want the clubs to help devise a system fit for the post-pandemic world.
      Manchester City’s humiliation of Uefa after winning their appeal against the two season ban for alleged FFP breaches was a significant failure for the system.
      But Uefa insists it is Covid, not City, that has made change required.
      Andrea Traverso, Uefa’s head of financial sustainability told an EU meeting: “The context of football has changed and Covid has further exposed and accelerated the need for reform and discussion.
      “This pandemic brought an unprecedented and unforeseen disruption.
      “The ability of many clubs to operate in the current circumstances and to pay wages and transfer fees, has become very challenging. 
      “Match day revenues, broadcasting, sponsorship have all been affected, causing widespread liquidity shortfalls.
      “Last summer the European transfer market was down by 40 per cent and it was down 56 per cent in January, while wages have risen to an unsustainable 78 per cent of revenues.
      Manchester City won their appeal against a two-season Champions League banCredit: AFP
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      “Some 200 clubs who were previously profitable now rely on debt and liquidity injections to stay afloat
      “And there is a risk that conditions will worsen – the repercussions will last for a few years.”
      While Traverso insisted FFP had not flopped, with average club debts falling from £50m to £4m, he added: “Rules must always evolve. 
      “They are not set in stone and have to adapt to the context in which clubs operate. This crisis has accelerated the need for that consideration to take place.”
      That will mean the end of the controversial ‘break-even’ rule, limiting losses to just £9m per year, allowing clubs to spend more money without falling foul of Uefa.
      Euro chiefs, though, are ready to look at some form of salary cap regulations, as long as they do not break EU law.
      Traverso said: “The rules need a stronger focus on the present and the future and a stronger focus on the challenges of wages and the transfer market.
      The rules can be different, sure, but that doesn’t mean the rules will be less stringentAndrea Traverso
      “Those who are saying the rules will be abandoned or relaxed are just speculating. 
      “The rules can be different, sure, but that doesn’t mean the rules will be less stringent. On the contrary, serious situations may necessitate stronger actions.
      “But the consultation process has just started.
      “We want and will consult with the EU, member associations, leagues, clubs, players and fans. They all need to have an opportunity to provide feedback.
      “The hope is that we will terminate the consultation process by the end of this year.
      “It is too early to say when, if there is something new, it will kick in. We have to look at the crisis and adapt to these uncertain situations.
      Aleksander Ceferin is aiming to keep the finances of the sport healthyCredit: Getty
      Ceferin attended Man City’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar in 2019 alongside Khaldoon Al MubarekCredit: Getty
      “But I am confident sport will be able to recover quite quickly, maybe quicker than other sectors, even if the effects of the pandemic will last for some time.
      “It is really important that all of us work for the overall interests of football and keep aside selfish views. 
      “During a crisis, people tend to be more self-centric and to protect their business and themselves. 
      “But we need everybody to take a step back and look at it from the position of needing an approach for the interests of the sport.”
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      Big Six plan to reduce number of Premier League teams from 20 to 18 to be blocked ahead of shareholder meeting this week

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      THE Prem’s Big Six are braced for frustration and disappointment over their attempts to force radical change on the top flight.Leading clubs now recognise there is no chance they can push through a reduction of the league from 20 teams to 18.
      Big Six teams are set to fail in their bid to cut the Premier League to 18 clubsCredit: Getty
      While proposed revamps of Uefa competitions promise more money from 2024, the Big Six fear they will hit a brick wall in their efforts to get the green light to make more cash from selling rights to their own games either overseas or on club channels.
      And it sets up a further squabble between the Big Six and the rest of the Prem starting at tomorrow’s “shareholder” meeting of the 20 clubs.
      Prem chief executive Richard Masters agreed to engage US-based Boston Consulting to carry out a “Strategic Review” of the structure of the League.
      That was a direct response to the Project Big Picture proposals backed by Liverpool and Manchester United as well as EFL chairman Rick Parry.
      Masters vowed that he would be open to all ideas, insisting in November that “the status quo is not an option”.
      Five months on, the Review will finally be a formal agenda item for the first time at Thursday’s meeting, with clubs to debate the “next steps”.
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      That will see smaller groups meeting together to argue their points.
      But while Masters has met his self-set deadline of reporting back by the end of March, the Big Six believe nothing tangible will come from the process.
      Instead, they expect many of their ideas will be blocked with any changes limited in scope.
      One Big Six source explained: “We were hoping that the impact of Project Big Picture would see a real momentum in favour of significant measures.
      “But it looks more likely that nothing will be proposed that the smaller 14 clubs would be upset about.
      “Of course, we will have to see the final details and that will not come for a few months.
      Richard Masters will chair a key Premier League meeting this weekCredit: Getty

      “What we have been led to believe, though, is that we will not have too much to be happy about.”
      That would be victory for the less wealthy clubs, who were the most angry about Project Big Picture, branding the concept “unacceptable” and “insanity” and forcing United and Liverpool into a public U-turn.
      Behind the scenes, though, the two north west giants, whose interests coincide with the other members of the Big Six who wanted fewer Prem games to create more room for European fixtures, hoped that Boston Consulting would deliver a victory.
      Those hopes have dissipated over the past few months, with the mood of the change supporters darkening but suggests the big boys will have to accept a bitter defeat.
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      Cristiano Ronaldo blasted and told to apologise after Champions League blunder by Juventus legend Alessio Tacchinardi

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      JUVENTUS star Cristiano Ronaldo has been told to apologise for his role in their Champions League defeat to Porto.
      The 36-year-old cowardly turned his back in the wall, allowing Sergio Oliveira’s free-kick to go through his legs and deceive goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for the winning goal.

      Ronaldo, 36, is yet to win the Champions League with JuventusCredit: AFP or licensors

      He cowardly turned his back in the wall, allowing Oliveira’s free-kick to go through his legsCredit: EPA

      The demand has come from Alessio Tacchinardi, who played more than 400 games for Juventus between 1994 and 2007.
      He said on TMW Radio: “He [Ronaldo] was rested in last weekend’s game against Lazio, so what was he doing against Porto?
      “Federico Chiesa went to talk on TV, but I would have expected Ronaldo to do so. He has to make an apology to the supporters.”
      With fewer than six minutes remaining in extra-time, Oliveira hit a decent free-kick across the deck.

      If Ronaldo had stood his ground in the wall, it is very unlikely Oliveira’s effort would have got past him.
      Instead, the Portuguese star turned his back and the ball flew through his gaping legs.
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      The tie went on to finish 4-4 on aggregate, with Porto progressing on away goals.

      It is the third time Juventus have failed to win the Champions League since Ronaldo joined the club from Real Madrid in 2018.
      The main reason why the Italian giants signed him was because they wanted to win the prestigious competition.
      The two-time champions haven’t won the Champions League for 25 years, losing five finals since.

      It is believed they will let Ronaldo leave for just £25million in the summer as they look to cut their losses.
      PSG have been linked with the former Manchester United star.
      Real boss Zinedine Zidane has also refused to rule out a potential return to the Bernabeu for Ronaldo.

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      EFL chief Rick Parry warns Uefa new Champions League format could decimate English football

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      EFL chairman Rick Parry has warned Uefa its Champions League expansion plans risk decimating the fabric of English football.
      European chiefs are set to confirm the new plans to come into effect from 2024 after getting the backing of Europe’s biggest clubs.

      Rick Parry has warned Uefa of the threat faced by smaller clubsCredit: PA:Press Association

      But Parry, who was supported by Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish, suggested the planned extra 100 Champions League games per season would destroy the League Cup and be potentially fatal for some of English football’s most historic clubs.
      Parry told the European League’s Club Advisory Platform virtual meeting: “The 72 clubs in the EFL are at the heart of their communities
      “The League Cup has been in existence for 60 years and is owned and managed by the EFL.
      “One of the conditions on the formation of the Premier League was that all clubs would play in it.

      “But Uefa proposal poses a major threat to the League Cup, especially with regard to the teams in the Champions League – and it will have a massive effect on EFL revenues
      “We estimate we could lose one third of the revenues we distribute to our clubs – which could pose a very real threat to the existence of those clubs.”
      Parry was echoed by Selhurst chief Parish, who added: “This would have a devastating effect on domestic competitions in England.
      “The League Cup is the largest financial contributor to the EFL and this will be the end of that Cup in its entirety or reduce it to a youth competition.”

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      Clubs like us feel so remote from the decision-making and there is a huge conflict of interest.
      Steve ParishCrystal Palace chairman

      Uefa have reached agreement with Europe’s biggest clubs that there will be no weekend games in its club competitions, leaving the field clear for domestic leagues.
      The deal effectively kills off the planned European Super League, despite efforts led by Real Madrid to breathe life into the dying embers of the breakaway plan.
      But Prem clubs want to thwart the proposal to play two of the 10 games in the initial league phase of the 36-team Champions League “Swiss model” competition in January.
      Uefa will formally announce the new format next month but Parish also blasted Nyon chiefs and the influential European Club Association for ignoring the voices of those left out of the elite group.
      He said: “Clubs like us feel so remote from the decision-making and there is a huge conflict of interest, with Uefa and the ECA now choosing to make changes for the long term in the middle of a pandemic.
      “We are expected to accept them because they’re not as bad as they could have been.
      “But there will be a huge impact on us and the creep is never ending.“
      Parish and Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow also condemned the proposal, backed by the Prem’s ‘Big Six’, for a backdoor safety net to be available for two clubs to qualify for the Champions League through their Uefa coefficient score.

      Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin is set to green light Champions League reformsCredit: REUTERS

      Parry fears for the future of the League Cup if the changes occurCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Palace chief said: “If we took it on last season, Leicester were fifth but the two clubs below them [Spurs and Arsenal] would have qualified for the Champions League based on an arbitrary period of success in Europe.”
      Purslow added: “It affects domestic competitions if you boost teams from the Europa League to the Champions League based on what they did in the past.
      “That would give clubs in the Premier League a £45m advantage over a team that may have finished ahead of them. Most people would see that as unfair and not right.”
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      Referee Coltescu banned until end of season for ‘inappropriate behaviour’ after PSG vs Basaksehir ‘racism’ walk-off

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      UEFA have banned referee Sebastian Coltescu until the end of the season for ‘inappropriate behaviour’ during Paris Saint-Germain’s Champion’s League clash with Istanbul Basaksehir last December.
      Coltescu, who was the fourth official in the match, found himself at the centre of a racism storm for his role in the dismissal of Basaksehir’s assistant coach Pierre Webo.

      UEFA have suspended Sebastian Coltescu until the end of the seasonCredit: AFP or licensors

      The Romanian referred to the former Cameroon international as ‘the black one’.
      His comments sparked a furious reaction from Basaksehir hitman Demba Ba, who accused him of racism.
      Webo himself fumed at the Romanian before he was ordered away from the touchline.
      In a show of solidarity, PSG players joined their opponents by walking off the pitch.

      European football’s governing body launched an immediate investigation into the matter.
      And in a statement on Monday, they announced the suspension of the official.
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      Just seven players have managed to score a hat-tricks of CL hat-tricks
      In their statement, UEFA revealed Coltescu had been suspended for ‘inappropriate behaviour during a UEFA match for which he was appointed.’

      Additionally, UEFA have ordered Coltescu to ‘attend an educational programme before 30 June 2021.’
      The players’ decision to walk off the pitch led to the abandonment of their Champions League Group H match.
      The fixture, which PSG eventually won 5-1, ended up being played the following day.

      Demba Ba accused Sebastian Coltescu of racismCredit: AFP or licensors

      Immediately after the match, Coltescu took to social media to issue an apology for his comments.
      He tweeted: “Racism was never my intention.
      “In such an environment, people sometimes cannot properly express their feelings and can be misunderstood.
      “I apologise in the name of the UEFA Champions League.”

      Sebastian Coltescu issued an apology for his actions shortly after the matchCredit: AFP or licensors
      According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Coltescu claimed his comments on the touchline had been misinterpreted.
      He reportedly said: “I just try to be good.
      “I’m not going to read any news sites these next few days.
      “Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not racist! At least that’s what I hope.”

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