Fergie tells Platini to leave European Cup alone
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Fergie tells Platini to leave European Cup alone
MANCHESTER, England, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson made clear his opposition on Friday to a plan from new UEFA president Michel Platini to cut the number of Champions League places for the bigger countries.
Platini, who beat incumbent Lennart Johansson in Friday's vote, would like to see the likes of England, Spain and Italy have only three clubs in the money-spinning competition - instead of four.
Signalling his support for the existing format, Ferguson told a news conference: 'It is a fantastic tournament.
'You are playing all the best teams. I don't really think there is really a lot needed to be done to it.'
As from switching from four to three teams, he said: 'The only way they can do that is to reduce the competition or involve other countries having one or two teams in.
'The way it is at the moment, with the top countries getting the top teams in, is a fantastic prospect every year.
'You think you can get one of the Italian or Spanish giants and from their perspective they can get one of the English giants. You are playing all the best teams.'
Ferguson added: 'In fairness, sometimes you can get groups which are not particularly great and therefore it really starts in February. But the way it is at the moment is okay.'
Opposition to any changes are bound to be voiced by English clubs, who are enjoying a good run in the competition. All four entrants - United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal - are through to this season's last 16, which starts next month.
A Premier League spokesman would not be drawn on any opposition from the English top-flight, saying: 'The election of a UEFA president is a matter for UEFA.
'We look forward to continuing to work with them and Mr. Platini on a wide range of issues.'
Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick congratulated Platini, telling the FA's website: 'His election marks an exciting new era for European football and we look forward to working with him over the coming years.'
agree top footballing clubs should deserve 4 places
especially spain and england -
nb la, just give his own beloved france 4 slots la..
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hope platini dun end up giving 'funny ideas' like blatter did..
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yaloh might as well 6 slotsOriginally posted by stellazio:nb la, just give his own beloved france 4 slots la.. -
actually i mark for platini's idea! afterall european cup should be based on champion of all champions basis. i dun like to see those runner-up team winning the cup, just look at real madrid who sucking on european cup for glory while they neglected their own league matches.
if me, i will only give 2 slots for each countries, champion and runner-up. champion of each countries will automatic qualify, while runner-up will fight for qualifying.
i think they should bring back the cup winner cup back, those who win the FA cup or Carlington Cup matches will go against one another. n this cup winner cup prize money should be 2nd highest comparing to european cup so that every teams will take seriously to win cup competition.
those 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th placings teams should play for UEFA cups. -
if really that's the case.. then i guess it will bring down the popularity of the game and perhaps also lowering down the competition of the champions league.. So i'm definitely does not want any limitations to any of the european gianst
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but should european cup meant for champions? by seeding 4 places for england and spain are unfair to others.Originally posted by Carra23:if really that's the case.. then i guess it will bring down the popularity of the game and perhaps also lowering down the competition of the champions league.. So i'm definitely does not want any limitations to any of the european gianst
one flaw is the strongest in the league will become stronger while the weak becoming weaker. -
but just imagine the popularity that the ucl might lose.. does platini wants to anger the G14 even more admist talks of a breakaway competition?
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all they need to do is change the name of the Champions League.
the present format allows 2nd, 3rd and 4th place team to play in the CL. its really funny, especially when one of them wins the title.
a Champions League champion that was not a champion in their own domestic league.
JUST CHANGE THE NAME BACK TO EUROPEAN CUP!!!
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lets not forget lessening the team means less broadcast money, which makes ECL less lucrative to participate for the teams. The G14 might just break away and form their own cup and that would make platini look really really stupid.. like his former Blatter..Originally posted by dragg:all they need to do is change the name of the Champions League.
the present format allows 2nd, 3rd and 4th place team to play in the CL. its really funny, especially when one of them wins the title.
a Champions League champion that was not a champion in their own domestic league.
JUST CHANGE THE NAME BACK TO EUROPEAN CUP!!! -
I'd reckon that his policy of "3 clubs per country" wouldn't go though the UEFA panel simply becos chances are, the revenue will dip immensely and popularity will decrease.
Yes, although his idea seems fair, but looking from a fan point of view, do u enjoy seeing clubs from weaker countries like Romania, Russia and Greece getting rout by European giants from England, Italy and Spain or would you rather watch a top class match between 2 of the World Class teams?
In my opinion, appointing Platini is like appointing a younger Blatter. Both full of ideas but without considering the consequences.
Cheers.
C.K -
why not give UEFA Cup holders an incentive to play in CL
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lol.. CL winner, liverpool is not even a top 2 club in EPL anymore..Originally posted by dragg:all they need to do is change the name of the Champions League.
the present format allows 2nd, 3rd and 4th place team to play in the CL. its really funny, especially when one of them wins the title.
a Champions League champion that was not a champion in their own domestic league.
JUST CHANGE THE NAME BACK TO EUROPEAN CUP!!! -
It isn't fair that the Scottish champions need to go through the playoffs to get into UCL. The competition should be reserved for Champions (& maybe ENG/ITA/SPN runners-up).