Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan has called on football fans to discuss the new Champions League reform after forcing Europe’s elite clubs to pull out of the European Super League.
Gundogan Calls for Discussion Around Champions League Reforms
The Midfielder Labels Champions League Reform ‘Lesser of Two Evils’
Gundogan has called on football fans to discuss the new Champions League format after the criticism of the proposed breakaway league helped collapse the ESL just two days after it was announced.
The reforms went less noticed than they usually would have due to the widespread concern of everyone involved in football about the Super League.
The new Champions League, which will begin from 2024, will include 36 teams. A Swiss-style league format will replace the group stages. There will be at least four extra fixtures for teams with the changes. It will also include a backdoor entry for teams with ‘the strongest European pedigree.
The German international took to Twitter to voice his concerns over the reforms, saying: “With all the Super League stuff going on… can we please also speak about the new Champions League format? More and more and more games, is no one thinking about us players?
“The new UCL format is just the lesser of the two evils in comparison to the Super League… The UCL format right now works great and that is why it’s the most popular club competition in the world – for us players and for the fans.”
Growing Concerns Over New Format
While the dust is beginning to settle after the storm of news that came with the announcement of the European Super League, fans are beginning to turn their attention to the Champions League reforms, which cause many of the same issues that the proposed breakaway league would have.
“#NoToUCLReforms” is trending on Twitter, as several fans are beginning to use the same collective energy to criticise the changes to Europe’s premier club competition.
Gundogan’s view that the reforms are the lesser of two evils is one most fans share. After the victory UEFA secured in the poor effort to break away from the Champions League, a monumental effort would be needed from fans again to block the reforms.
Football has proven in recent times that the fans can always have the last word.
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