Barcelona Vice President Javier Faus Backs Champions League Expansion

Barcelona VP Javier Faus "has called for the expansion of the Champions League as well as the reduction of national top flights by up to four clubs," according to Tim Hanlon of REUTERS. UEFA has considered increasing the size of the Champions League proper to 64 clubs from 32 clubs following demands from Europe's top sides, "who see clear financial rewards of facing each other on a more regular basis." While Atletico Madrid is "bucking the trend" as it leads La Liga, the growing distance between the rich and the poor in football has "been particularly stark in Spain and there has been a lack of competition for Barca and Real Madrid." Faus: "We want to see the Champions League expanded and at the same time national leagues should be reduced from 20 clubs. We are not in favour of national leagues being eliminated as they are at the center of fans' hearts and I can't imagine that ever happening" (REUTERS, 2/3).