LONDON: The Europa League winners will get a place in the following season’s Champions League from the 2015-16 season, a UEFA source said yesterday.
The change will boost the prestige of UEFA’s secondary competition which has become largely over-shadowed by the Champions League in terms of prize money, credibility and media coverage over the last decade.
The decision, approved at this week’s executive committee meeting in London, will be announced at UEFA’s annual Congress today.
The decision followed months of discussions between Europe’s top clubs in the European Club Association (ECA) and UEFA’s top officials including president Michel Platini.
Despite the presence of many of Europe’s leading clubs who have missed out on the Champions League, the Europa League retains an aura of being a consolation prize for the also-rans.
Although a central marketing concept was added to the competition when it was rebranded in 2009, matches are played on Thursdays and are often shown on non-peak viewing channels.
They also generate a tiny percentage of income the Champions League can bring. UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino refused to comment on the planned change yesterday.REUTERS
