UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin confirmed that only European clubs will be allowed to participate in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
Two weeks ago, an Italian newspaper reported that the Saudi Arabian Football Federation proposed the idea of giving the Saudi Pro League champions a "special" spot in the Champions League from the 2024-2025 season.
From next season, the number of teams participating in the Champions League will increase to 36, instead of 32 as in the current format, competing according to the "Swiss model" like chess and some e-sports. The 36 participating teams will be seeded based on past performance.
Saudi Pro League CEO Carlo Nohra added weight to the prospect of the country's clubs making it to the Champions League by stating: "We are trying to be different. So any changes or improvements that can be introduced to the league will be welcomed."
But speaking to French newspaper L'Équipe on August 31, Ceferin denied this possibility. "A media agency published this information without consulting us," the UEFA president said. "Only European clubs can participate in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League."
Ceferin, on behalf of UEFA, presented the Champions League trophy to Ilkay Gundogan - Man City captain - after the final match at Ataturk Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey on June 10. Photo: AFP
After Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in early 2023, there was a wave of players from Europe moving to the Saudi Pro League. These include Neymar, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al Hilal), Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Romarinho, Jota (Al Ittihad) or Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino (Al Ahli).
Ceferin is not worried that the Saudi Pro League will compete with European leagues, citing the example of Chinese football - with its professional league called the Chinese Super League (CSL) - which has caused a similar stir by bringing in big names with attractive salaries. "Chinese football did not develop and did not participate in the World Cup afterwards," Ceferin said. "That is not the right way to do it. They should try to develop players and coaches, but that is not my problem."
According to the head of UEFA, the Saudi Pro League only attracts players at the end of their careers or who are not ambitious enough to go to the top tournaments, and is not an attractive destination for stars in their prime with top form. "As far as I know, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are not thinking about going to Saudi Arabia," Ceferin said. "I don't think players at the peak of their careers will go to Saudi Arabia. When people talk to me about players who have gone to Saudi, no one knows which club they play for."
The UEFA president took a similar stance when asked about the possibility of hosting the Champions League final in the United States in the future. "Only European federations can host the Champions League final. We would have to change all the rules and we don't want that to happen," Ceferin stressed.
Hong Duy
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