German, French leagues reject closed Champions League proposal

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The German and French soccer leagues have both rejected a proposal to create a near-closed Champions League from 2024 onwards, adding to widespread opposition to the plan.

The German soccer league (DFL), which runs the top two divisions of the soccer league system – known as the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 – said in a statement that such a competition would have "unacceptable consequences" for national leagues around Europe.

Hours later, the French league (LFP) added its opposition to the plans, saying such a competition would undermine the country's domestic championship.

The LFP said that 32 of its members have voted against the proposal with three abstentions.

UEFA Champions League trophy has been transported to the city ahead of the final match between Liverpool and Tottenham, which will take place in June at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain. /VCG Photo

French soccer "is worried about the sporting and economic consequences of the current project for the national championships," it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the French league said it would propose an alternative in the next few days.

The region's governing body UEFA is working with the European Club Association (ECA), whose members include all of the continent's biggest clubs, to re-design European competition after the current international calendar ends in 2024.

UEFA has said discussions are at a preliminary stage and has not given any further details. But according to reports of a meeting held between UEFA and representatives of the European Leagues last week, the governing body has already put a proposal on the table which would involve drastic changes.

Mauricio Pochettino (L), manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Chairman Daniel Levy celebrate after their side won 3-2 over Ajax during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, May 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

Several league representatives who were present have said that the proposal included a three-tier European league with promotion and relegation between each division.

The top tier – the equivalent of the Champions League – would include 32 teams, the top 24 of whom would keep their places for the next season, ending the tradition that qualifying for European competition is achieved via national leagues.

Only four places would be open to the winners of Europe's 54 national leagues.

A fan in Tottenham Hotspurs jersey holds a scarf declaring the team's place in the UEFA Champions League final. /VCG Photo

"The presently discussed concept... would have unacceptable consequences for the national leagues in Europe and should therefore not be implemented in this form," said the DFL's chief executive Christian Seifert.

"We must not allow the traditional national leagues to be damaged in their attractiveness for millions of people across the continent."

The DFL called on UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to "moderate further proceedings in a foresightful manner".

European Leagues, the umbrella group representing domestic leagues around the continent, has said that all its members are against the proposal and only a handful of big clubs, mainly from Italy and Spain, are in favor.

Source(s): Reuters