Platini and G-14 Compromise on the Champions League
We wrote last week that all the machinations over a European Superleague, a rejigged Champions League and the proposed disbanding of the G-14 spoke of a grand compromise in the making between UEFA and the big clubs. Platini needed to keep the constituency that has supported him, the weaker nations, happy by including more of them; the G-14 needed to keep four spots in the tournament reserved for the stronger leagues. Platini’s recent proposal to include cup winners as well was a red herring, designed so both sides could declare victory and save face.
And UEFA is soon expected to confirm that more champions from the weaker leagues will enter the competition; cup winners will not; and the big leagues will keep four spots each (some might say this was a slight win for them, as they now have three automatic entries to the group stage; on the other hand, the fourth entrant will now have to navigate an extra qualifying round).
These quotes from UEFA and a G-14 spokesman speak of a grand compromise.
The cup winners’ inclusion was “a minor point and it has been delayed in a spirit of conciliation,” said UEFA spokesman William Gaillard, adding that the issue could be discussed again in three years.
Gaillard said that the main goal of the reorganization — to give more nations a place in Europe’s premier club competition — had been achieved.
“What president Platini had in his program was the widening of the group stage to more champions from middle-sized nations,” Gaillard said.
UEFA’s executive committee is expected to approve the proposal next month.
The G14 group of powerful European clubs is happy that the cup winners won’t be included.
“We always thought it was not a good idea,” G14 general manager Thomas Kurth said. “Now, we see it will not come through. It is fine by us.”
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I still haven’t seen the details of this grand compromise, and I think the reason for that is that they haven’t been finalised.
If the goal is to get more champions of “small” nations into the group stages, the automatic promotion into those stages of third place teams from “big” countries automatically eliminates at least three slots that could at least theoretically have gone to such teams. Some reports here were suggesting that there is also a plan to seed the final qualifying round in such a way that “big” nations would not play against each other’s representatives, which would only enhance that exclusionary effect. On the other hand, a seeding system that would actually achieve the goal (putting aside the question of whether it is a valid one) would be to seed the representatives of the “big” countries and “small” countries against each other in the last qualifying round, thereby assuring at least some “small” representation in the groups.
The question of whether that is economically feasible in the view of the “partners” is an open one, though I imagine it is easier for them to stomach the idea of the likes of Slavia Praha getting a relatively easy route to the group stages, given that they are now guaranteed of seeing at least three clubs from each of the big countries.
Y’know, it sure seems like this “compromise” allows more big clubs automatic berths while forcing smaller clubs to fight over the scraps in the qualifying rounds. Sure, it brings more nations into the fold, but it also forces all the clubs from smaller nations to battle each other for fewer qualifying spots.
Seems like the G-14 got exactly what it wanted and made it look like a win for the smaller nations. Funny how they pulled that off, isn’t it?
When do these changes take effect? Do the top 3 in the Prem qualify for the group stage this year or next?
Indeed Dave. The compromise is with Platini — not with the smaller nations themselves, who still have a limited voice. Platini just has to sell it politically, to save his skin based on the promises made when elected. None of this is pretty or for the real good of football.
I imagine the changes must be for the 2009/2010 season, but they haven’t even been ratified by UEFA yet. Ursus, as far as I’m aware the details have been finalised, they were approved by the Strategy Council and just need a rubber stamp. But obviously we as fans don’t get to hear everything til then, given no-one cares what we think.
I wouldn’t be so sure, Tom.
There are almost three weeks between now and the ExCom meeting in Lucerne, and that provides ample opportunity for work around the edges of the “principles” that have been agreed.
UEFA leaks like a sieve, and I view the fact that the leaks as to details have differed to be further evidence for my belief that they are not yet set in stone.
Ah, I bow to your greater understanding of the machinations behind closed doors as usual, ursus. We shall see.