Anyone else heard this? There's a strong rumour doing the rounds in Spain that, at its season-end meeting in Geneva in two weeks' time, UEFA aims to pass a new directive that as of next season the Europa League holders will be forced to defend their title regardless of their finishing position in their domestic league. The only exception contemplated is if the team actually wins its domestic league.
The idea has been hatched as part of a plan to boost the prestige of the EL, and would go along with a 4-fold increase in prize money and the end of qualification for CL dropouts.
What's unclear is whether the new scheme would mean this year's champions defending the title next year, or next year's champion defending it in 2014-15.
If it's the former, it would mean that Spurs would automatically get England's 4th CL berth regardless of what happens today, while Chelsea's efforts would have proven futile.
UEFA: Chelsea must defend EL title
posted on 19/5/13
What? This isn't a WUM? I assumed it was.
Any link?
posted on 19/5/13
I wouldn't mind defending the EL next season. After the amount of games we have been through this season I wouldn't be against playing in the EL and CL next season.
We could play Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
posted on 19/5/13
Knowing our luck, this is for 2014/2015, we win the Europa next season and finish top 4, then get told we have to defend the Europa
posted on 19/5/13
we should be allowed to play in both in that case. I dont mind we play first team in CL and reserves in EL
posted on 19/5/13
we should be allowed to play in both in that case. I dont mind we play first team in CL and reserves in EL
what would we do if the first team go out in the Group stages of CL Again and they get drawn against our reserves...whatever the result wed be accused of match fixing
posted on 19/5/13
^ There would be no entry to EL for CL dropouts.
posted on 19/5/13
This story is utter nonsense.
If this was true then it wouldn´t make any sense.
Any team that drops out of the CL into the Europa like we did would then do their best to be knocked out of the Europa as they would want to be in the Champions League the following season, not back in the Europa League if they win it.
Absolute nonsense of a story.
posted on 19/5/13
If they give us 40 million pounds than no worries - if not they can go fark themselves
posted on 19/5/13
Blatter (FEEFER) has just come out and asked Platini (WAFER) to stop treating clubs like slaves.
posted on 18/2/17
comment by Pinky (U4457)
posted on 19/5/13
UEFA aims to pass a new directive that as of next season the Europa League holders will be forced to defend their title regardless of their finishing position in their domestic league.
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I think it would be better if the winner of Europa League were given a Champions League spot.
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Pinky Blatter