Andrea Agnelli said that the third European competition would bring the number of competing clubs to 96.GETTY IMAGES
A third European competition is set to return to club football "as part of a dramatic reshuffle" expected by UEFA to reduce the Europa League's "mammoth group stage," according to Tom Morgan of the London TELEGRAPH. The extra contest, which has yet to be named despite an initial "green light" by governing officials, is "likely to be marketed primarily" toward internet streaming sites. The Champions League, Europa League and the third tournament are expected to include 32 teams each from the '21-22 season. Officials are "keen to slash" the current 48-team Europa League group stage by a third as the current format "has drawn years of criticism for the burden it takes on clubs' domestic fixture calendars." By creating a new tournament, authorities are "expected to explore new revenue generating schemes" by potentially offering "internet-only" broadcast deals (GUARDIAN, 9/11). REUTERS' Brian Homewood reported European Club Association Chair Andrea Agnelli told his members at a meeting in Split, Croatia, that the third-tier competition will run alongside the Champions League and Europa League. He added that it still must be approved by UEFA. The ECA previously called for more clubs to be involved in European competitions and a "greater certainty of matches" for participating clubs (REUTERS, 9/11). The PA reported details on the new competition "will remain uncertain" but it "will not be a straight replacement for the Cup Winners' Cup," which was discontinued in '99. It is "more likely that it will be a Champions League-lite, with entry limited to teams from Europe's weaker national leagues" (PA, 9/11).
