The future of the Champions League in its current format is in doubt after UEFA president Lennart Johansson today threw his weight behind calls for a reduction in the number of teams taking part. Johansson's personal view is that he wants a return to the European Cup where only national champions can take part.
UEFA is currently engaged in a consultation exercise with clubs, leagues and national associations about any changes to the Champions League and UEFA Cup. The decision will be taken in December by the whole UEFA executive committee, but Johansson's public support for a slimming down of the competition has put a question mark over the current competition after 2003.
Johansson made his comments in an interview with German newspaper Aachener Zeitung. He admitted: "I believe it should be a league for champions and therefore the number of participants should be reduced. I have this feeling that we will go back to having a competition for the champions and the champions alone. That is my personal wish but I can't decide it on my own."
Johansson is concerned that there is a danger of overkill, with Champions League matches being played two days a week leading to saturation TV coverage. He added: "There has been criticism, which is justified, of the fact that there is too much football on television. Too much is not good for anybody and we cannot carry on as we are."
UEFA communications director Mike Lee said Johansson was expressing a personal opinion and emphasised the decision would be taken by the UEFA executive committee. He insisted: "We are currently undertaking a consultation exercise about the future of the Champions League and UEFA Cup. Ultimately, the decision will rest with the UEFA executive." (PA)
Filed by Shane Murray
