European cups: no change of format is possible without the green light of the clubs

"Clubs were provided with an update on on-going discussions between ECA and UEFA relating to the future of the UEFA Europa League post-2021 and possible changes that may be introduced to the competition," announced the ECA at the end of its 21^st General Assembly, held in Split (CRO) on 10 and 11/09/2018.

"Following demands by ECA Members to increase the overall number of clubs participating in UEFA’s club competitions, the preferred option is to develop a third-tier competition of 32 teams, bringing the overall number of participants in UEFA’s Club Competitions to 96 (+20%) with 32 participating teams per Competition. A determining factor in reaching this position was the need to enhance the overall value of the competitions," added the ECA.

"UEFA alone decides on the organisation and abolition of international competitions in Europe in which associations and/or clubs participate, and FIFA competitions are not affected by this provision," states Article 49 of the UEFA Statutes. The UEFA Club Competitions Committee has called for the creation, in 2021, of a third European cup (32…