While I think that Michel Platini has the right goals, in terms of broadening the scope of the Chmaions League with more teams from 'lesser' nations, I think he is wrong in his way of doing it.
I think that the Champions League should be expanded, with the Uefa Cup being scrapped to make room. The top 5 or 6 from the big leagues could then qualify, as well as the top two from weaker leagues. The competition could be doubled in size, to 16 groups of four after the initial qualifying stage, and a new round of 32 introduced after the group stage.
It should be renamed back to the European Cup. I love the Champions League as a competition, but the Uefa Cup has lost is lustre in comparison, only coming alive as a competition from the last 8 onwards. Expanding the Champions League would ensure that the lesser European leagues are strengthened, as well as returning the competition back to a truly European contest, not just a competition for Europe's rich.
More Champions league places for lower ranked clubs would also strengthen domestic leagues. In England in particular, the 4 Champions League places are usually sown up before the season kicks off, introducing another 1 or 2 places would mean different teams have the opportunity to compete as the 5th placed team is rarely the same year on year.
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