Reports | Manchester United and Chelsea help thwart new Champions League proposal

The European Club Association (ECA) and the UEFA have been working together in order to make significant changes to Europe’s top club competitions that would be implemented from 2024 onwards. It would see the Champions League become an exclusive competition, with the group stages set to change to four groups of eight teams. That would effectively put an end to domestic cup competitions, as it would see clubs play 14 group stage matches before reaching the knockout rounds.

However, that proposal has been met with opposition from clubs across Europe, with the Mirror reporting that Manchester United and Chelsea are leading the charge for Premier League sides. The report adds that they warned the ECA and the UEFA that the only way to play Champions League football would be to drop out of domestic cups, which is not something they want. It would have serious consequences for both the EFL and the clubs that take part in the cup competitions, which once again is not something they want to happen.

The Sun has also added that a senior club chief has revealed, “There’s no agreement about any plans. None of the ideas on the table are acceptable. We all want more money and there is an acceptance that things will have to change. But the plans do not have any real support so they have to go away and think again.”