QUOTE
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The winners of Europe's major domestic cup competitions could gain berths into the Champions League.
UEFA said Thursday it was considering the option as part of the planned reform of its premier club competition. Cup winners currently gain entry into the lower-level UEFA Cup.
"Perhaps we can move certain cup winners into the Champions League," said William Gaillard, the special adviser to UEFA president Michel Platini.
Germany, England, Spain and Italy get four spots in the Champions League, but Platini has said he wants to reduce that to three to increase parity in the competition.
As a compromise it could be reduced to three plus the cup winner.
"We will have to look at this in the strategic council," Gaillard said of the body set up to assess competition changes.
The move would also improve the standing of cup competitions, which have been the victim of lack of interest over the past few years.
"It would restore some of the value," Gaillard said.
Germany, Spain and Scotland have already backed the principle, while it had not yet been discussed with the Premier League and English FA, Gaillard said.
UEFA is also looking at plans to have a qualifying round where the third- and fourth-place teams in Europe's elite leagues would play each other instead of clubs from smaller nations, increasing the chances for more countries to have representatives into the first round.
Platini has insisted that Europe's top club competition would have more appeal by allowing the clubs from more nations into the first round.
England had four representatives this season, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool making it into the quarterfinals.
UEFA said Thursday it was considering the option as part of the planned reform of its premier club competition. Cup winners currently gain entry into the lower-level UEFA Cup.
"Perhaps we can move certain cup winners into the Champions League," said William Gaillard, the special adviser to UEFA president Michel Platini.
Germany, England, Spain and Italy get four spots in the Champions League, but Platini has said he wants to reduce that to three to increase parity in the competition.
As a compromise it could be reduced to three plus the cup winner.
"We will have to look at this in the strategic council," Gaillard said of the body set up to assess competition changes.
The move would also improve the standing of cup competitions, which have been the victim of lack of interest over the past few years.
"It would restore some of the value," Gaillard said.
Germany, Spain and Scotland have already backed the principle, while it had not yet been discussed with the Premier League and English FA, Gaillard said.
UEFA is also looking at plans to have a qualifying round where the third- and fourth-place teams in Europe's elite leagues would play each other instead of clubs from smaller nations, increasing the chances for more countries to have representatives into the first round.
Platini has insisted that Europe's top club competition would have more appeal by allowing the clubs from more nations into the first round.
England had four representatives this season, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool making it into the quarterfinals.