UEFA to keep current UEFA Champions League format

UEFA has decided to keep the current format of the UEFA Champions League with 32 clubs and two group stages.

Contract decision still awaited
Following a two-day meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, European football’s governing body has also decided to hold further discussions before making a decision on the new Champions League marketing agency contract for the period between 2003 and 2006.

Extensive consultations
The decision to retain the current Champions League format follows extensive consultations involving clubs, leagues, the UEFA administration and committees.

Absolute majority
“There was an absolute majority for the format of 32 teams and two group phases,” said UEFA President Lennart Johansson after the meeting. “The format will remain for three years, but after that, who knows? It is not easy to predict what the future holds, because we live in a turbulent world.”

January report
UEFA’s executive body has also decided to ask the UEFA administration to continue negotiations with the two bidders on the shortlist for the new UEFA Champions League marketing agency contract – IMG/TWI and Team Marketing AG. The administration has been asked to report back to the Executive Committee in January 2002.

Proper procedure
UEFA has given formal written notification to current partners Team Marketing AG that the existing agency contract will be terminated as of 30 June 2003. “We are very eager to have a proper procedure in which we compare the two bids,” said Mr Johansson. “We wish to bring the two proposals together to compare them on an equal basis.”

2003 finals
The venues for the 2003 club competition finals were chosen. Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England will host the UEFA Champions League final, and the Olimpico Stadium in Seville, Spain will stage the UEFA Cup final.

Kazakhstan recommendation
The 2002 UEFA Congress in Stockholm will be asked to accept a request for affiliation to UEFA from the Football Association of the Republic of Kazakhstan, upon the Executive Committee’s recommendation. The Swiss Football Association has been asked to act as hosts of next year’s European Under-21 Championship final round.
 
Annual Congresses
In another decision, the Executive Committee has decided to hold the UEFA Congress on an annual basis in future, to facilitate decision-making procedures, with elections to be held in even years.

Artificial turf research
The committee also recommended that UEFA give support to further research and development on the use of artificial turf, including direct financial support for the installation of a limited number of artificial turf fields. The move is with a view to accepting the use of approved surfaces in UEFA competitions as from the 2004/05 campaign.

Levies system abolished
It was decided to abolish the system of national association levies paid to UEFA for national-team matches, and that a new harmonised format should be created for UEFA’s U-17 and U-19 competitions, involving final tournaments with eight teams.