UEFA's controversial plans to alter the Champions League now under review

UEFA’s highly controversial plans to revamp the Champions League are reportedly being reviewed, with football fans around the world now holding their breath.

Earlier in the year the football body outlined plans to make sweeping changes within European football’s premier competition, including the axing of the group stage and an increase to 36 competing teams.

The proposed changes could now yet be amended or scrapped in light of the uproar caused by the doomed European Super League project of which six Premier League teams were part of, as iNews report.

Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham joined forces with leading European clubs in Spain and Italy in attempt to join a breakaway league, which brought about a huge backlash from the football world.

Now, as a result, UEFA are exercising caution when it comes to proposed changes to the much loved and well regarded Champions League.

A report in The Times states that one of the main elements to be chopped is the controversial awarding of two Champions League places based on historical performances in Europe.

As outlined, the idea of two spots being awarded based on UEFA rankings was originally included in reform proposals for an expanded competition from 2024. 

For example, applying this rule in terms of last season, Tottenham Hotspur would have qualified for the Champions League despite finishing seventh, behind Leicester City and West Ham United, in the English top flight. 

The revamped Champions League pledged to increase the number of teams competing from 32 to 36 every season and added four extra games for each club competing that year.

It is reported that since the Super League collapsed the reforms are being reviewed. 

The report outlines that ‘UEFA’s Executive Committee, who sign off on changes, is due to meet next month and could make a final decision then. Any changes will come into effect from 2024 and will last for at least nine seasons.’

Many football fans have already shown anger towards the suggested removal of the group stage, while the increased fixture build-up in the football calendar has threatened domestic cup competitions across the European leagues.

Leading football clubs across the continent are understood to be willing to sit down and discuss with UEFA, in order to offer suggestions with the recommendations of their supporters.

The Premier League clubs involved in the attempted Super League breakaway were recently fined a collective £22million and made to agree to rules that meant any future attempts would trigger a 30-point deduction and an additional £25m fine.