UEFA has introduced changes to the format of the Champions League so that the top four teams from the top four European leagues would qualify automatically for the competition.
With these changes, the top four teams from England, Germany, Spain and Italy would qualify automatically for the group stages of the Champions League.
UEFA's club competition committee is considering a variety of options to revamp the competition in order to ward off the threat of a breakaway Super League by some of Europe's leading clubs.
Allowing four clubs from the four leading leagues to qualify automatically for the Champions League is just one of the options which has been discussed.
The changes are likely to be introduced for the next three-year cycle of European club competitions from 2018-2021.
With these changes, the top four teams from England, Germany, Spain and Italy would qualify automatically for the group stages of the Champions League.
UEFA's club competition committee is considering a variety of options to revamp the competition in order to ward off the threat of a breakaway Super League by some of Europe's leading clubs.
Allowing four clubs from the four leading leagues to qualify automatically for the Champions League is just one of the options which has been discussed.
The changes are likely to be introduced for the next three-year cycle of European club competitions from 2018-2021.
The top four teams from the four highest-ranked associations will enter the UEFA Champions League group stage from 2018 after new formats were confirmed for both major club competitions.
The format for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 have been confirmed, with no changes to the compettions system but a new procedure for entries.
Following an extensive consultative process involving all European football stakeholders, UEFA proposed amendments which have been approved by the UEFA Executive Committee, upon recommendations of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and the European Club Association Board.
What are the main changes to UEFA's club competitions for the 2018–21 cycle?
The UEFA Europa League winners will automatically qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage (currently they can potentially take part in a play-off round).
The format for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 have been confirmed, with no changes to the compettions system but a new procedure for entries.
Following an extensive consultative process involving all European football stakeholders, UEFA proposed amendments which have been approved by the UEFA Executive Committee, upon recommendations of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and the European Club Association Board.
What are the main changes to UEFA's club competitions for the 2018–21 cycle?
The UEFA Europa League winners will automatically qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage (currently they can potentially take part in a play-off round).
The top four clubs from the four top-ranked national associations will now qualify automatically for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
The full details of the access list for both competitions will be finalised by the end of the year.
A new system for the club coefficients: clubs will be judged on their own records (deletion of the country share for individual club coefficient unless that coefficient is lower than 20% of the association's coefficient).
Historical success in the competition will also be acknowledged in coefficient calculation (points for previous European titles with a weighted system for UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League titles)
Financial distribution to clubs will be increased significantly for both competitions.
A new four-pillar financial distribution system (starting fee, performance in the competition, individual club coefficient and market pool) will see sporting performances better rewarded, while market pool share will decrease.
What doesn't change
Retention of Champions and League route of qualifying in the UEFA Champions League, ensuring that clubs from all associations can enter through their domestic leagues and qualify for both competitions.
The UEFA Champions League will continue to have a 32-team group stage leading to a 16-club knockout phase. Similarly the UEFA Europa League remains at 48 teams.
A subsidiary company will be created that will play a strategic role in determining the future and the management of club competitions: UEFA Club Competitions SA, where half of the managing directors will be appointed by UEFA and the other half by the ECA.
Speaking about the amendments agreed for the new cycle, UEFA General Secretary ad interim Theodore Theodoridis said: "The evolution of UEFA's club competitions is the result of a wide-ranging consultative process involving all stakeholders and taking into account a wide range of expertise and perspectives.
"The amendments made will continue to ensure qualification based on sporting merit, and the right of all associations and their clubs to compete in Europe's elite club competitions.
"We are happy that European football remains united behind the concepts of solidarity, fair competition, fair distribution and good governance."
Financial distribution
Financial contributions to clubs and leagues will be increased significantly for both competitions
Financial contributions to clubs and leagues will be increased significantly for both competitions
A new four-pillar financial distribution system (starting fee, performance in the competition, individual club coefficient and market pool) will see sporting performances better rewarded, while market pool share will decrease.
Who was involved in the decision to make these changes?
The amendments are the result of a wide-ranging consultative process involving all European football stakeholders and taking into account a wide range of expertise and perspectives.
European football remains united behind the concepts of solidarity, fair competition, fair distribution and good governance.
UEFA, the clubs, the leagues and the national associations speak with one voice on these matters and we are looking forward to continuing our fruitful relationship
Will all countries still have a chance of having their champions in the UEFA Champions League?
Absolutely. The rights of all associations and their clubs to compete in Europe's elite club competition have been retained. We have maintained the champions' path and league path qualification process meaning that smaller clubs and countries can still participate in the group stage of the competition.
The new format will only see bigger clubs from bigger countries getting richer and richer?
In fact, the new revenue distribution model guarantees an increase in payments to leagues and clubs who are knocked out in the qualifying phase. In addition, the reduction of the market pool contribution to payments means that all clubs will receive more money for sporting success and less for just being in a large television market.
Will an association be able to have six teams in the UEFA Champions League group stage?
The number of teams per association is capped at five and any change will be determined in due course.
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