UEFA are considering a proposal to play Champions League group stage games OUTSIDE of Europe in bid to allow the global fanbase of some of the continental giants a chance to see their teams in action.
It is one of the ideas set to be discussed when the executive committee off European football’s governing body meet in Croatia had of the general assembly of the European Club Association (ECA) takes place in Istanbul, according to a report in The Athletic.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is chair of the ECA and a member of UEFA's executive committee and the Qatari is said to back the plan but it would almost certainly prompt a backlash from fans with “meaningful” games potentially going to the USA, China or the Middle East.
Last week, the ECA released a report which showed a third of Chinese football fans and 28% of those in the US were influenced to start following the sport by major competitions. The report said: “This highlights that there are opportunities for European clubs and competitions to build on this interest and influence; to increase the availability of European club football to these audiences and allow exposure to these events to continue building further and deeper interest and engagement.”
Both champions Celtic and Scottish Premiership runners-up Rangers have played two group games in this season’s competition and the winners of this season’s title are set to qualify automatically again next season.
The Champions League is already set for a major revamp for 2024 with the competition expanding from 32 teams to 36 and playing in a single league and UEFA are continually looking at ways to improve it.
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