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European super league blocked

Plans by some leading European clubs to restructure the Champions League to benefit the biggest clubs have failed to win support. Progress was halted at a meeting of European Club Association clubs in Geneva this week. The ECA represents more than 200 leading clubs and has been in talks with Uefa on the reform plans.

It had been suggested that the top 24 clubs in the Champions League would be given automatic qualification for the following year's competition. Four places would be given to teams promoted from a second tier European league and just four sides would qualify on the basis of national league performance.

One of the main backers of the proposal had been Andrea Agnelli, chairman of the ECA and president of Juventus. It was also backed by FC Barcelona. However, seven other Spanish clubs, although not Real Madrid, had criticised the plan. All 20 Premier League also opposed the plan as they feared it would detract from the value of their lucrative broadcast rights.

Agreement was reached on a third European competition for smaller teams, although this is unlikely to generate much revenue for them.

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