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Domestic cup winners could qualify for CL
FIFA & UEFA - 02 April, 2007
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European cup winners might be able to qualify for the Champions League as part of a series of proposed changes to the competition.
To be discussed in June is having the winners of each country's main knock-out competition included in a new playoff system at the end of the season which will determine the final Champions League places.
Awarding the cup winner one of its country's automatic berths is being presented, but the feeling is it might not be included on this change. Cup winners do qualify for the UEFA Cup.
"Giving the cup winners one of these spots is something which we will discuss. We want to revitalise the cup competitions in each country which have suffered in recent years," said William Gaillard, special advisor to UEFA president Michel Platini, to Reuters. "But to be honest if the same team that finishes first, second or third ends up winning the cup, the place would go to the next team in the league.
"If the cup winner goes to the Champions League, then that third or fourth-placed team goes to the UEFA Cup. There has to be some reality."
The cup's popularity has sharply dropped as leagues with lucrative Champions League spots continue to grow in importance. Some clubs regularly now field weaker line-ups in cup games for the sake of their league position.
Platini proposed the new format as part of a plan to reduce berths for the bigger countries and increase the chances of other European clubs to qualify for the elite competition.
He said he would like to see nations such as England, Spain and Italy with only three clubs in the money-spinning competition. Those three leagues have up to four places.
Platini believes fourth-place teams in the bigger leagues could face each other in end of season playoffs. That would free up places for smaller leagues.
Another idea was for England, Spain and Italy to play off against teams from the smaller nations. These playoff places may now go to the cup winners instead.
The new idea with the cup winners supposedly is supported by the majority of the clubs, including some of the more powerful clubs.
"The likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Rangers and others have already indicated their support," one UEFA source said.
Many associations are expected to back the plan in a bid to resurrect dwindling interest in their domestic cups.
To be discussed in June is having the winners of each country's main knock-out competition included in a new playoff system at the end of the season which will determine the final Champions League places.
Awarding the cup winner one of its country's automatic berths is being presented, but the feeling is it might not be included on this change. Cup winners do qualify for the UEFA Cup.
"Giving the cup winners one of these spots is something which we will discuss. We want to revitalise the cup competitions in each country which have suffered in recent years," said William Gaillard, special advisor to UEFA president Michel Platini, to Reuters. "But to be honest if the same team that finishes first, second or third ends up winning the cup, the place would go to the next team in the league.
"If the cup winner goes to the Champions League, then that third or fourth-placed team goes to the UEFA Cup. There has to be some reality."
The cup's popularity has sharply dropped as leagues with lucrative Champions League spots continue to grow in importance. Some clubs regularly now field weaker line-ups in cup games for the sake of their league position.
Platini proposed the new format as part of a plan to reduce berths for the bigger countries and increase the chances of other European clubs to qualify for the elite competition.
He said he would like to see nations such as England, Spain and Italy with only three clubs in the money-spinning competition. Those three leagues have up to four places.
Platini believes fourth-place teams in the bigger leagues could face each other in end of season playoffs. That would free up places for smaller leagues.
Another idea was for England, Spain and Italy to play off against teams from the smaller nations. These playoff places may now go to the cup winners instead.
The new idea with the cup winners supposedly is supported by the majority of the clubs, including some of the more powerful clubs.
"The likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Rangers and others have already indicated their support," one UEFA source said.
Many associations are expected to back the plan in a bid to resurrect dwindling interest in their domestic cups.
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