The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is considering setting a new short tournament to promote the Champions League football in the USA.
Though there is no confirmation, some media reports are claiming that UEFA is eyeing to organise a money-spinning mini-tournament in the USA.
As the present football fixture is already congested, it is very tough to add another new tournament. Some football fans, including managers and players, have already complained about the non-stop fixtures.
UEFA’s plan
But according to the recent report of L’Equipe, UEFA wants to add a special competition to the schedule shortly before the beginning of the new Champions League season. The report suggests it can be a four-team contest, including the latest Champions League winners and three other leading clubs.
The mini-tournament can only follow knockout stages with two semi-finals and one final. This short competition can be played in August. It can be lined up from the 2024/25 season.
According to that report, this mini-tournament idea has emerged to bring the lucrative deal from the broadcasters for the new television rights between 2024 and 2027.
Criticism from UNFP
The Union of Professional Footballers in France (UNFP) has already criticized this new UEFA proposal.
UNFP’s recent statement said, “The European body only wants to line its pockets with no regard for the health of the players, and with no regard for the spectacle of football.”
UEFA competitions are set to change from 2024/25
Talking about the new mini-competition, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin once claimed to restructure Super Cup to introduce any new tournament. At present, the latest Champions League winners and Europa League winners face each other once in the Super Cup contest.
The 2024/25 Champion League will be the first season when the “Swiss system” will be followed in the competition. In the main competition, the number of teams will be upgraded from the present 32 to 36. The Europa League and Europa Conference League will also experience similar changes from the 2024/25 season.
