Recent developments from UEFA have suggested the possibility of doubling the Champions League and ending the Europa League. An alternative that was also touted was rewarding the winner of the Europa League with a place in the following season’s Champions League. If a choice had to be made between the two, it must be the latter.
A 64 team Champions League is incomprehensible and frankly makes even more of a mockery of the name “Champions” League. In a literal world the competition would only be for the winners of the European leagues as it once was, but with sponsorship, advertising and TV revenue it seems almost impossible to return to that format.
This ‘Holy Grail’ of European football, as it has become, should therefore be the incentive for those taking part in the secondary competition. Perhaps this would lead to teams fielding a stronger squad and making more of an obvious effort to succeed.
Rebranding the UEFA Cup into the Europa League was an attempt to mirror the success of its wealthier sibling, but it has become clear that very few fans or clubs are interested in a whole other European league competition played on a Thursday night.
Part of the beauty of the UEFA Cup in the earlier days of the Champions League was that it was a refreshing change, a straight knock-out competition rather than the accumulation of points to qualify from a group. Liverpool’s 2001 victory was a particular memory of the tournament.
With that excitement now gone, viewing figures have decreased and general interest has waned. The competition is not what it was, and so if UEFA do not feel it is necessary to change the format, they must opt for the winning incentive.
This is probably going to be the only way to get clubs giving it their all and get fans interested. Granted, it is likely this interest will not really grow until the latter stages, when the carrot of Champions League qualification comes closer, but it will grow nonetheless because of the implications of this in terms of finances and exposure.
UEFA’s decision is not due until 2014, by which time many factors may have come into play and perhaps some other suggestions. Personally, in an ideal world there should be a slimmed down Champions League leaving clubs having to compete in the Europa League still with the incentive currently discussed, and maybe even a return of the Cup Winner’s Cup.
This is a very idealistic and naïve suggestion and perhaps is trying to recapture too much from the past, and there is no way it would ever happen due to commercial rights and revenues and the potential losses this would incur if certain teams were not competing in certain competitions.
But UEFA must act decisively to stop a sinking ship, because if they don’t there is the distinct possibility that the competition would disappear and fans and clubs may no longer be interested in reviving it.
Daniel Smith – @dmsmith1987
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