UEFA wants new formats for unsettled leagues
UEFA IS keener on leagues adopting new formats to determine final league places for European qualification if suspended domestic competitions cannot be completed due to government restrictions or financial concerns caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
With UEFA announcing a desire for qualification for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League being settled on “sporting merit,” the statement yesterday opens the door to leagues temporarily implementing playoff systems.
UEFA referenced the use only of a “different format”. Averaging out points based on games already played, is another potential option to determine final placings in an unprecedented situation.
UEFA cautioned that teams could be denied places in Europe if leagues are prematurely halted and “there is a public perception of unfairness.”
Domestic and continental competitions were suspended last month.
UEFA also said it was exploring the Champions League and Europa League resuming in parallel with domestic competitions or in August after they have hopefully been completed.
PRIORITY GAMES
Some Champions League and Europa League last-16 matchups are yet to be played, but domestic games are being given priority.
Belgium is the only major topflight so far to announce plans to halt the competition, while the Dutch federation also has plans to cancel the rest of the season.
“The ideal scenario, should the pandemic situation permit it, is to have the currently suspended domestic competitions completed, enabling football clubs to qualify for UEFA club competitions on sporting merit in their original format,” UEFA said. “Should this outcome not be possible, in particular due to calendar issues, it would be preferable that suspended domestic competitions would restart with a different format in a manner which would still facilitate clubs to qualify on sporting merit.”
Europe’s top leagues – England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France – all have a traditional format where teams play each other home and away. Some countries, like Belgium, have a system where the league splits after 30 games into play-offs.