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European Club Association to discuss Champions League changes

ECA (European Clubs' Association) logo

The European Club Association says it has no plans to set up a Super League to replace the Champions League, but it is discussing with UEFA the future formats of the Champions League and Europa League.

The umbrella body which represents the interests of some of the leading clubs in Europe has been holding its 16th general assembly in Paris, with officials from 143 clubs attending.

The ECA has played down the prospect of a breakaway from the Champions League but says changes to the competition may be needed to make it more attractive.

A review of the Champions League and Europa League has therefore been announced, with the results due around the end of the year.

ECA senior vice-chairman Umberto Gandini, a director of AC Milan, said: "We are not designing anything at the moment. We are starting a review process of the Champions League and working with UEFA to see which improvements we can bring in to have the most attractive football product every year.

"The process will last six to nine months maximum but it is clear we have to take into account all the measures to make it more and more attractive.

"There is not any kind of understanding that we have to change the Champions League. We will listen to the main actors of the competition and UEFA itself and find out what is best. It may be just a slight change to the access list, it may be many aspects of the competition that can be reviewed and adjusted."

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ECA vice-chairman Umberto Gandini
Image: ECA vice-chairman Umberto Gandini

The ECA has also opposed proposals put forward by the FIFA reform committee to expand the World Cup from 32 to 40 teams.

An ECA statement said: "Once again ECA expresses its disagreement with the possible increase in the number of teams participating in the World Cup from 32 to 40, as proposed by the FIFA reform committee.

"The healthy balance between club and national team football must not be put at risk. The burden imposed on players has reached its limits; all football stakeholders must protect the players, the key element of the game, from physical overload."

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