UEFA on Monday confirmed that a new format for the Champions League will be introduced from 2024 with the number of clubs in the group stage increasing from 32 to 36.
The move was approved at an executive committee meeting of European football’s governing body in Switzerland. The new format will see all 36 clubs brought together into one pool instead of the current system of four-team groups.
The announcement comes amid news of the launch of rival Super League comprising 12 major clubs who are planning to breakaway from the Champions League.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin did not mice words to express his disapproval of the Super League.
“I cannot stress more strongly how everyone is united against this disgraceful, self-serving proposals, fuelled by greed above all else,” said Ceferin, calling the proposal a “cynical plan”.
“We are all united against this nonsense of a project. Cynical plan, completely against what football should be. We cannot and will not allow that to change.”
UEFA did not elaborate on how four more teams would qualify for the new format. As per the new rules, teams will play against 10 different sides, with five games at home and five away. At the end of this phase, the top eight sides will go through to the last 16, with the bottom 12 eliminated.
Meanwhile, the sides finishing between ninth and 24th position will play two-legged play-offs, with those between ninth and 16th drawn against a side finishing from 17th to 24th.
The winners of those ties will complete the last-16 line-up, with the losers dropping into the Europa League.
(With inputs from agencies)
