More details have emerged on UEFA's plan to "establish a relief fund" of as much as $7B to "help struggling teams manage their growing debts." Sources said that the plan would be for UEFA to "secure financial relief for cash-strapped teams who play in major European club competitions" -- Champions League, Europa League and the new Europa Conference League. Repayments would be "tied to the teams’ future payouts from their participation in those tournaments." UEFA has for months "been in talks with banks and private equity firms about creating the fund." UEFA had been in talks with Centricus, a London-based investment firm that had "also been involved in talks with FIFA about financing its enlarged Club World Cup, but it has more recently focused on striking a deal with a group of lenders that includes Citigroup and UniCredit," according to sources. UEFA "declined to comment on the talks or the relief fund." But it has "discussed the proposal with the European Club Association" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/18).
Meanwhile, UEFA is considering dropping "controversial plans" to award two Champions League places based on historical performances in Europe, with the EPL part of a joint effort "for the proposal to be ditched." The idea of two spots being awarded based on UEFA rankings was "originally included in reform proposals for an expanded competition" from '24. UEFA approved the new “Swiss model” format for the Champions League (36 teams playing ten group matches, instead of six) in April but "postponed a final decision" on how access to the tournament would be decided after the sudden launch, and then collapse, of the European Super League (LONDON TIMES, 8/18).
