The European Football Association (UEFA) announced Monday that it would increase the number of teams participating in the European Champions League from 32 to 36, starting in 2024.
It explained that teams will play more matches, in defiance of plans to launch a separate tournament under the name “European Super League.”
The reforms in the Champions League would involve giving teams more matches in the group stage.
It was decided that 100 matches would be added to the tournament, which would see all teams placed in a group, and each team would play 10 matches against other teams determined by ranking, in what is being called the “Swiss model”, after the playoffs begin.
Earlier on Monday, 12 clubs from England, Italy, and Spain announced plans to launch the European Super League with 20 teams participating, 15 of which will be permanent parts of the tournament.
UEFA issued a stern warning to the clubs on Sunday, and UEFA president Alexander Severin said today, Monday, that players who take part in the tournament will be banned from participating with their national teams and from participating in tournaments, including the World Cup.
