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UEFA won’t return to second-stage group
FIFA & UEFA - 25 April, 2006
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UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson ruled out a return to second group stage of the Champions League, despite the financial success of the stage.
Some clubs wanted to keep - and would like to bring back - the second group stage in the UEFA Champions League, mainly for financial reasons. But a second group stage is not to the liking of the television channels or many fans, and it jammed the calendar.
“It therefore was decided to abolish the second group stage, and the competition found a new lease of life and even generated more revenue, for the good of football in general and the lasting interest of its competitions,” Olsson wrote in UEFA direct, the official magazine of UEFA.
“At the end of the day, only a balanced structure can be a sound one. … Regrettably I do not believe that it is now possible for me to take your expression of interest any further.”
Olsson also wrote that the sport needs to demonstrate more unity if it is to survive going forward. He scorned clubs that opted to push for change outside of UEFA and its various club forums.
“Of course, there is nothing wrong with having different ideas and opinions; it is not a negative influence and can even contribute to progress,” Olsson wrote. “But differences of interest can be detrimental; egoism prevails when vision is blinkered, which leaves no room for solidarity or, at best, charity.”
Some clubs wanted to keep - and would like to bring back - the second group stage in the UEFA Champions League, mainly for financial reasons. But a second group stage is not to the liking of the television channels or many fans, and it jammed the calendar.
“It therefore was decided to abolish the second group stage, and the competition found a new lease of life and even generated more revenue, for the good of football in general and the lasting interest of its competitions,” Olsson wrote in UEFA direct, the official magazine of UEFA.
“At the end of the day, only a balanced structure can be a sound one. … Regrettably I do not believe that it is now possible for me to take your expression of interest any further.”
Olsson also wrote that the sport needs to demonstrate more unity if it is to survive going forward. He scorned clubs that opted to push for change outside of UEFA and its various club forums.
“Of course, there is nothing wrong with having different ideas and opinions; it is not a negative influence and can even contribute to progress,” Olsson wrote. “But differences of interest can be detrimental; egoism prevails when vision is blinkered, which leaves no room for solidarity or, at best, charity.”
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