Premier League bosses will reportedly resist calls for a play-off system to decide which teams qualify for next season’s European competitions.
With football still in limbo due to the coronavirus pandemic, UEFA has made it clear qualification for next term’s Champions League and Europa League must be decided on “sporting merit”.
Europe’s governing body has given national associations the green light to decide how this will be done if their domestic competitions cannot be completed, stipulating that “the procedure for selecting clubs should be based on objective, transparent and non-discriminatory principles”.
Two methods that have been suggested are using the points-per-game ratio from the current table, or holding play-offs to decide outstanding issues.
But Premier League bosses want to complete the current season and believe a play-off system would be unfeasible, according to The Sun.
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Liverpool have already qualified for next season’s Champions League after amassing a whopping 25-point lead at the top of the Premier League by the time football was halted due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Using the points-per-game system, Jurgen Klopp’s side would be joined in Europe’s top club competition by Leicester, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Barring a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Manchester City will not qualify as they face a two-year ban from European competition having been found guilty by UEFA of serious breaches of financial fair play regulations.
Sheffield United, Wolves and Arsenal would qualify for the Europa League, with Mikel Arteta’s side just edging out their North London rivals Tottenham on the points-per-game system.
Clubs could potentially take issue with this system as it would not take into account the possible permutations once remaining fixtures had been played.
For instance, Tottenham have played Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea twice each, while Arsenal’s game in hand is against Manchester City at the Etihad, and Arteta’s side would also be due to face Liverpool before the end of the season.
While Liverpool would qualify for next season’s Champions League in first place, it is not yet clear whether they will be confirmed as champions if Premier League action is not resumed.
The Sun reports that it would require a vote by 14 of the UK top flight’s 20 clubs to change the current regulations, which stipulate that all 38 games must be played.
(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool need two more wins to confirm the club’s first top-flight title in 30 years.
UEFA want domestic leagues to be completed by the first week in August, with the Champions League final scheduled to take place on August 29.
Premier League chiefs "make decision" on playoff system to decide European spots - Mirror Online
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