http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/e...rem/8516372.stm

There's a suggestion the Premiership might introduce play-offs for the 4th Champions League place. Funny how they do that when the so-called "Big Four" are now under threat from Man City, Spurs and Villa. More money - funnily enough this will start when a new TV deal starts - and a second bite should 38 games not be enough for one of them to land the spot. At least Arsenal won't need to bribe a hotel chef!

Good or bad idea? or just another money spin-off?

Terrible idea.

I think the FA Cup Winners should get the 4th Champions League spot, might make some clubs take the competition more seriously and bring in bigger crowds. I don't think it's any coincidence that the FA Cup has lost some of it's prestige since UEFA did away with the Cup Winners Cup.

Terrible idea.

I think the FA Cup Winners should get the 4th Champions League spot, might make some clubs take the competition more seriously and bring in bigger crowds. I don't think it's any coincidence that the FA Cup has lost some of it's prestige since UEFA did away with the Cup Winners Cup.

It'll NEVER happen with the FA cup. It's a closed shop already (The CL) let alone having the likes of Pompey or anyone from the lower leagues being able to qualify. Imagine the champions league having someone from the 2nd tier of their own domestic league, it'd make a mockery of the whole competition.

It's a elitest club - hence the 4th place play-off or a 2nd bite of the cherry for a side that doesn't make it.

I think the Champions League should only be for the champions of each league, but then again I'd probably be considered a purist in the eyes of UEFA.

It'll NEVER happen with the FA cup. It's a closed shop already (The CL) let alone having the likes of Pompey or anyone from the lower leagues being able to qualify. Imagine the champions league having someone from the 2nd tier of their own domestic league, it'd make a mockery of the whole competition.

It's a elitest club - hence the 4th place play-off or a 2nd bite of the cherry for a side that doesn't make it.

I think the Champions League should only be for the champions of each league, but then again I'd probably be considered a purist in the eyes of UEFA.

I know it will never happen, I was just speculating on the general lack of interest in the FA Cup by a lot of clubs and fans. I really think the Cup Winners Cup should never have been scrapped - just one team from each country, just like the European Cup used to be.

The Champions League competition is already a mockery. How the f*ck can a team who finishes 4th in their respective league be considered champions? Of course it's elitist, it always has been. Remember the scousescum being allowed into the CL when they finished 5th because they were the holders? Farcical, UEFA are pathetic, to the extent of allowing elite clubs who f*ck up in the CL group stages to take part in the sh*te Europa League.

I agree with you, the Champions League should involve the champions of each country only, but it should be a knock out competition rather than league, so it should be called the European Champions Cup. Teams that finish 2nd, 3rd. & 4th should go into their own competition, let's call it the UEFA Cup, while national cup winners should have their own competition too, maybe call it the Cup Winners Cup? Oh, wait...

Dreadful idea. I am also an advocate of the old European Cup style bring brought back but accept that will never happen. however this will cheapen the CL even more.

Good God we could see the 7th spot Premiership side in the CL - they would be humbled. remember when Everton managed to sneak a top 4 finish - next season they didn't even make it out of the qualifiers.

Same opinion here as most. Terrible idea, cheapen the CL.

As for the FA cup I don't know how to transform it but it would

appear to be on the slide this pass couple of seasons. Not helped by

that knob Wenger putting out a weakened side against Prem opposition.

French twat should be fined for disrespecting such a fine trophy.

Same opinion here as most. Terrible idea, cheapen the CL.

As for the FA cup I don't know how to transform it but it would

appear to be on the slide this pass couple of seasons. Not helped by

that knob Wenger putting out a weakened side against Prem opposition.

French twat should be fined for disrespecting such a fine trophy.

Only way to make any cup more valuable to a "top team" is to increase the prize purse.

Money is all that matters lads, and if the CL didnt pay out close to 100mil to the winner, no "big club" manager would give toss about it either!

I'd be extremely surprised if UEFA ratified the idea and they would have to have the final say on this matter

Had a little think about this one and can only come to the conclusion that it's a bad idea for English football. Imagine the scenario if one, or more, of those clubs that have had a good one off season in the prem managed to battle their way through the play off and qualified for the CL, now I mean no disrespect to any of these teams or their supporters, but after 3 or 4 seasons of seeing Ipswich, Luton, QPR or their modern day equivalent being dumped out at the knockout stage or pointless in the groups the 4th place would become irrelevant anyway as we'd lose it via the UEFA co-efficient, thus ensuring that only the top 3, and we've all got a pretty good idea who that's likely to be for at least a few more years, would be playing CL football for the forseeable future.

I'd be extremely surprised if UEFA ratified the idea and they would have to have the final say on this matter

I'm not sure if they do. I think UEFA award the number of places and then it is up to the local association to determine how they are awarded. That is why when there was the 'Liverpool should/shouldn't qualify' argument it was up to the FA whether to kick Everton or not.

Terrible idea.

I think the FA Cup Winners should get the 4th Champions League spot, might make some clubs take the competition more seriously and bring in bigger crowds. I don't think it's any coincidence that the FA Cup has lost some of it's prestige since UEFA did away with the Cup Winners Cup.

:D

I'm not sure if they do. I think UEFA award the number of places and then it is up to the local association to determine how they are awarded. That is why when there was the 'Liverpool should/shouldn't qualify' argument it was up to the FA whether to kick Everton or not.

I believe you to be correct.

I think EUFA gives each league a total # of spots absed on the strength of the league, and then its up to the local FA to determine how its devied out.

why can't they just leave things alone? it's so annoying these big-wigs are so desperate to justify their ridiculous salaries by coming up with silly schemes...seen this already with the 39th game for example...so we will send a team who finished 7th into the best competition...what a joke...so amusing to read the story: teams outside the top four were in favour of the idea...no sh*t! that's cos most of them aren't good enough to get there without some other way...similarly no surprise the big four weren't too in favour...why qualify on merit only to rely on the lottery of cup football to prove yourself all over again

I know it will never happen, I was just speculating on the general lack of interest in the FA Cup by a lot of clubs and fans. I really think the Cup Winners Cup should never have been scrapped - just one team from each country, just like the European Cup used to be.

The Champions League competition is already a mockery. How the f*ck can a team who finishes 4th in their respective league be considered champions? Of course it's elitist, it always has been. Remember the scousescum being allowed into the CL when they finished 5th because they were the holders? Farcical, UEFA are pathetic, to the extent of allowing elite clubs who f*ck up in the CL group stages to take part in the sh*te Europa League.

I agree with you, the Champions League should involve the champions of each country only, but it should be a knock out competition rather than league, so it should be called the European Champions Cup. Teams that finish 2nd, 3rd. & 4th should go into their own competition, let's call it the UEFA Cup, while national cup winners should have their own competition too, maybe call it the Cup Winners Cup? Oh, wait...

I think they should let all 20 clubs go into the 4th place play-off. Play 38 games and the side that finishes 4th gets to qualify for the CL. The 2 sides directly above them qualify automatically and the side side on top should get some sort of trophy. Oh wait a minute....... :P

let's have a play-off for everything...relegation, who finishes 11th, who gets to play games home or away, who gets to sign any players etc

let's have a play-off for everything...relegation, who finishes 11th, who gets to play games home or away, who gets to sign any players etc

:P

makes no sence at all

If you're the 4th best team over the season, you deserve the final spot.

It would waterdown the PL, no need to aim for the top 4, we'll go for 5th. I would be happy to see it revert as BB posted earler

I am against the idea of a Champions League Play-Off being introduced in the Premier League. For me it seems nothing but a money-spinning idea. It is worth noting also that they tried this sort of idea in the Eredivsie in Holland for a few seasons. As has been mentioned I think they should bring back the Cup Winners Cup. It is shame that European Football is dominated by money. Its not right!

Terrible idea.

I think the FA Cup Winners should get the 4th Champions League spot, might make some clubs take the competition more seriously and bring in bigger crowds. I don't think it's any coincidence that the FA Cup has lost some of it's prestige since UEFA did away with the Cup Winners Cup.

I agree with this. Give it to FA cup winners.

What I dont understand is why these people are so intent on changing the format? Surely if its not broke then theres no need to fix it?

Wasnt it just last year they were talking about adding an extra game to be played in foreign countries? Dumbest. Idea. Ever.

Excellent idea. Because how on earth can a mere 38 matches per team give a clue to the strength of those teams?