Leicester City may have every prospect of qualifying for the Champions League this season, but the chances of a club outside the elite taking part will be reduced in future if the European Club Association gets its way.
They are concerned that too many big clubs are finding their way to the competition barred, particularly in the more competitive English and Italian leagues.
Leicester City may have every prospect of qualifying for the Champions League this season, but the chances of a club outside the elite taking part will be reduced in future if the European Club Association gets its way.
They are concerned that too many big clubs are finding their way to the competition barred, particularly in the more competitive English and Italian leagues.
One idea they are considering advocating is the scheme followed by basketball’s Euroleague. ‘A’ licences are given out for three years on the basis of television revenue and attendances. Then come performance-related B licences and finally four wild card places reserved for clubs ‘due to their status as strategic markets for the competition.’
This could appeal to American-owned clubs and also to others who fear that one poor season could lead to sponsors and investors panicking and predators circling.
Such an approach adopts anti-competitive guarantees common in US sport, but with none of the more egalitarian aspects such as salary caps and drafts.