Deal to expand Champions League to 36 teams in new format ‘a couple of weeks away’

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An agreement on the structure of a new-look Champions League could come as early as in the next fortnight, according to Andrea Agnelli, president of Juventus and chairman of the European Club Association (ECA).

The Uefa-proposed expansion of the group stage would see it include 36 teams, up four from the current 32. 

Within that, teams would play 10 matches in a 36-team league, instead of the current six, in a so-called ‘Swiss system’. The European Leagues group has expressed concern at the impact of the extra matches, and at the plans to award places based on historic performance rather than in the most recent domestic season.

The ECA’s chairman Andrea Agnelli said: “I would dearly hope that everything would be done within the next couple of weeks.

“There are details that need to be addressed, one being the access to the competitions - if we have four extra spots, how will these be allocated. But I would say within a couple of weeks everything should be pretty much sorted.

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“That’s the hope that both (UEFA) president (Aleksander) Ceferin and I have for the competitions post 2024.”

Agnelli said he hoped an agreement would “close” speculation regarding a breakaway European Super League.

He said the proposal was “very close” to his ideal Champions League.

He added: “I think the Swiss system is beautiful. So one thing is a regular season which is much more appealing, and the (retention) of the knockout stage which is the essence of competition.

“It’s very close to an ideal Champions League, so maybe we’re just a couple of weeks away.”

The Premier League is understood to have concerns over the increased number of matches, and also the access changes.

Agnelli suggested 20-team domestic leagues may be one area that has to be looked at to keep a balanced calendar.

“It’s having balanced competitive landscapes,” he said. “We do think that currently for competitive balance purposes, 20 teams in leagues...there are too many. I think there is an overall element that we could actually work out in the interests of everyone.”

On the issue of changing the way teams can qualify to include teams who missed out via the conventional route but have the best ‘co-efficient’ of past performance, Agnelli said: “Unprecedented events can turn into normality. Some years ago it was unprecedented that not just the champions were allowed in the Champions League, and then it became normality.

“So I wouldn’t be too concerned about unprecedented events which then become normality, if they are approved.

“When it once was a blasphemy to imagine not just the champions in the Champions Cup, now it’s absolutely normal, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about change. Those who know me, know I am a fan of change - if change is necessary I am happy for change to take place.”

Additional reporting by PA.

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