The European Football Union wants to decide on the reform of the European Cup on March 31st. In the opinion of Bayer Leverkusen’s club boss, the “Swiss model” represents a compromise for the premier class.
Leverkusen (dpa) – Bayer Leverkusen’s club boss Fernando Carro sees UEFA’s far-reaching reform of the European Cup as an “acceptable compromise”.
One should not forget, “where we come from: two years ago there were ideas and sometimes demands for a closed league and weekend game days”, said the 56-year-old of the German press agency. “It looks like we were able to prevent that through our strong, amicable position as the Bundesliga.”
The Executive Committee of the European Football Union wants to decide on the changes, especially in the Champions League from 2024, on March 31. The premier class is to be increased from 32 to 36 teams, and the group phase is to be replaced by the so-called “Swiss model”. The game will then no longer be played in eight preliminary round groups but in just one league, in which, however, not everyone competes against everyone, but the opponents are drawn according to the previous year’s position.
“It was important to us that qualification for a European competition continues to take place via the national leagues and that the weekends are reserved for national competitions,” said Carro. “That seems to be guaranteed as well as a minimization of the insignificant group games that we are dealing with in the current mode.” Leverkusen is a member of the influential club association ECA, which is significantly involved in the reform.
“As a proven football romantic, I long for the national champions ‘cup, the cup winners’ competition and the UEFA Cup,” said Carro. But that is no longer realistic. “Of course, we urgently need to listen to the needs of the fans and take them into account. The Bundesliga lives particularly from its fan and stadium culture. But we also have to accept that football has become a billion-dollar business, that different countries, leagues and clubs pursue different interests, ”said the Leverkusen club boss. “These have to be bundled and in the end a compromise that is acceptable for all parties to be found.”
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