Gazetta dello Sport today appears to be reporting that UEFA are seriously considering a proposal from the top clubs that, in a revamp for the 2018-19 season onwards, one of each of the top eight countries' representatives in the Champions League would be reserved for the best team on its "historical" table, that had not qualified from domestic places.
So in England, the top three would get in, but the 4th spot would go not to 4th place, but to the best historical team that had thus missed out. So too in Italy, Spain, and Germany. The proposal seems specifically designed so that Milan would never miss out again. In countries like Portugal and Holland, with at least two entrants, it would similarly mean Benfica and Ajax being certain of qualification every year.
This could be jolly good news for Liverpool, of course (until such time as Man United overtake them on the "historical" table). And potentially, if England's top three did include Liverpool, Man United and AN Other (let's say Arsenal for safety's sake), incredible news for Nottingham Forest, who presumably must rank at least 4th on any such table of English clubs after the three BRCs?
So in England, the top three would get in, but the 4th spot would go not to 4th place, but to the best historical team that had thus missed out. So too in Italy, Spain, and Germany. The proposal seems specifically designed so that Milan would never miss out again. In countries like Portugal and Holland, with at least two entrants, it would similarly mean Benfica and Ajax being certain of qualification every year.
This could be jolly good news for Liverpool, of course (until such time as Man United overtake them on the "historical" table). And potentially, if England's top three did include Liverpool, Man United and AN Other (let's say Arsenal for safety's sake), incredible news for Nottingham Forest, who presumably must rank at least 4th on any such table of English clubs after the three BRCs?
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