CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER?

Last updated : 12 July 2002 By Editor

UEFA yesterday announced the end of the second group phase of the champions league. Instead of the extra group phase the new look Champions league will revert back to the traditional home and away knock out rounds. There will still be 32 clubs entering the competition with 16 qualifying for the new all or nothing Second Round.

UEFA President Lennart Johansson said,

"We believe this reduction in the size of the competition is in the longer-term interests of everyone involved - clubs, players, fans, broadcasters, sponsors and European football in general"

Will this see the return of the classic Euro away? We will have to wait and see, the new look Champions League won't start until the 2003/04 season.