CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVAMP ROW
A decision on a new format for the Champions League has been delayed by a disagreement over the competition’s commercial rights.
An expanded 36-team competition to begin in 2024 had been set for approval by UEFA’s executive committee on Wednesday, but will now not be rubber-stamped until at least the next ExCo meeting on April 19.
It is understood the board of the European Club Association (ECA), which represents the views of the continent’s most powerful clubs, was split and could not give its formal support to the UEFA proposal when it met on Monday.
This was because some clubs remain convinced they should control the commercial aspects of the competition, such as television and sponsorship rights.
ECA members dominate the UEFA club competitions committee which then met on Tuesday morning, and it is understood that because the reform package did not have their approval it could not go forward to the executive committee.
UEFA said on Wednesday: “UEFA can confirm that a meeting of the executive committee will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, March 31, and that the future of club competitions post-2024 will be one of the topics discussed.
“However, any official decision in this respect will only be made at the next UEFA executive committee meeting on April 19, in order to finalise ongoing discussions.”