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Reuters
BERLIN
The German and French football leagues have both rejected a proposal to create a near-closed Champions League from 2024 onward, adding to widespread opposition to the plan.
The German Football League (DFL), which runs the top two divisions of the Football 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.
The French league (LFP), meanwhile, 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.
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.
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 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.”
“Changes to these must not jeopardise the relevance and future of the national leagues in Europe. This would... damage the whole of European football - and that can never be in the interest of the UEFA.” The LFP said that 32 of its members have voted against the proposal with three abstentions.
“French football is worried about the sporting and economic consequences of the current project for the national championships,” it said in a statement.
BERLIN
The German and French football leagues have both rejected a proposal to create a near-closed Champions League from 2024 onward, adding to widespread opposition to the plan.
The German Football League (DFL), which runs the top two divisions of the Football 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.
The French league (LFP), meanwhile, 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.
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.
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 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.”
“Changes to these must not jeopardise the relevance and future of the national leagues in Europe. This would... damage the whole of European football - and that can never be in the interest of the UEFA.” The LFP said that 32 of its members have voted against the proposal with three abstentions.
“French football is worried about the sporting and economic consequences of the current project for the national championships,” it said in a statement.
