- Target:
- Europe
- Region:
- GLOBAL
In 1997 the UEFA Champion League was expanded to include sides that were runners-up in their domestic leagues. Since then this has been expanded to include 3rd and/or 4th placed teams from 6 nations who play qualifying rounds.
Champions in smaller leagues now have to face the prospect of playing several qualifying matches even to qualify for the big money first group round. They rarely do, only 5 out of 43 made it through this season while 6 non-champions when straight into the group stage.
This is starting to have an effect on domestic leagues. The big 4 in England are dominating the Premier League because of the large sums of money their receive from playing in the league. They are also able to attract players with the chance of playing Champions League football.
In the last 8 seasons only 5 clubs have finished in the top 3 of the Premier league and it may happen in other European leagues.
This petition will go to all relevant authorities and clubs. If they don’t act, we will by targeting sponsors and TV stations. Watch this space....
For the long term benefit of both the competition and domestic leagues, we, the undersigned, call on UEFA, European national associations and member clubs to overhaul the Champions League system:
1) Limit 3 clubs from any nation to play in the competition in any one season.
2) No non-champions (i.e runners up) have direct entry to the group stage.
3) No third placed sides can enter the competition in the 3rd qualifying round.
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The Make the Champions League fairer petition to Europe was written by Gavin Stone and is in the category Sports at GoPetition.