The European Club Association has called a Special General Assembly in June for talks over European club competitions beyond 2024.

Long-term future of the Champions League and other European competitions will be discussed in June

Topics up for discussion will include a pyramid-based pan-European League system, enhancement of movement between any league through promotion and relegation, and the use of a platform based on “sporting meritocracy not historical privilege”.

The ECA said in their agenda that their plans for the longer term would see any leagues become open to all – one of their fundamental principles stating that any changes would be “keeping the dream alive” for clubs.

A statement from the ECA read: “This very early stage in the process is the right time to engage with ECA Member Clubs directly, in an open and constructive manner, to share ideas that are being discussed and the overall vision that is being considered and elaborated, and to receive feedback.

“This meeting fits into the board’s clear intent to maintain a process around UEFA Club Competitions post 2024 which is undertaken in a transparent, direct and engaged manner.

“The shape of the competitions is now determined for 2021-2024 including the refining of the Europa League from 48 to 32 teams and the addition of a third competition to expand the number of participating teams.

ECA chief Andrea Agnelli says promotion and relegation in European competitions ‘might be logical’

“The ECA meeting in June will provide the opportunity for ECA Member Clubs to debate and share views on principles which are fundamental to the future of European Football beyond 2024, and around which ECA will seek to work with UEFA to continue to evolve the Club Competitions.”

ECA chairman Andrea Agnelli previously said promotion and relegation across European competition “might be logical” but the Premier League’s 20 clubs have vowed to “vigorously defend” the English domestic game amid reports that Champions League games could be moved to weekend slots.

“All clubs unanimously agreed it is inappropriate for European football bodies to create plans that would alter the structures, calendar and competitiveness of the domestic game and will work together to protect the Premier League,” a Premier League statement earlier this month read.

“In England, football plays an important role in our culture and everyday life. Millions of fans attend matches across the country, with allegiances and local rivalries often passed down through generations. We have a fantastic combination of competitive football and committed fans that we will vigorously defend.”

UEFA chief executive Aleksander Ceferin said earlier this month that more detail on long-term competition structure would take time to discuss with key stakeholders and that talk of weekend Champions League football was wide of the mark.

Source – Sky Sports