UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says that a Champions League ‘final four’ format could be part of changes to the competition from 2025.
It is clear Ceferin wants the finale of the competition to generate more buzz, and name-dropped the NFL as a brand that could be emulated.
Champions League
Walker given three match European ban after Leipzig red card
28/01/2022 AT 16:08
Speaking to French outlet Le Journal Du Dimanche, Ceferin said: “We haven’t yet discussed this [the final four proposals] properly because of the pandemic, which has taken up our day-to-day focus.
“But my opinion is that it would be great.
“It should be more competitive and more interesting for the fans.
“I have discussed it with some club presidents, such as Al-Khelaifi, and they are in agreement.
“Football is bigger than NFL but the Super Bowl is a huge spectacle.
“It’s a simple equation to solve – we would just need to compensate clubs for the revenue they would lose from hosting the semi-final matches. That is possible.
“It would come in for the 2024-25 season at the earliest. But I doubt it could be done that quickly.”
He said: “I’m sure that won’t happen because it’s a complete nonsense.
“It’s a populist project that would destroy football. It goes against all the principles of our sport, and those of the Olympic Games.
“It’s incredible that a football organisation can propose that their players – on top of an already heavy schedule – should play a month-long tournament every summer.
“And just imagine how it would eat into women’s football.
“Alongside South America, we have said that it won’t work.
“Without us, it would no longer be a World Cup.”
—
Champions League
Three blokes, two draws, one baffled Real Madrid – The Warm-Up
14/12/2021 AT 07:43
Champions League
How Real Madrid reacted to ‘shameful’ retaken Champions League draw – Inside Europe
13/12/2021 AT 20:15
