A Champions League place will be up for grabs to future FA Cup
winners under new proposals which will be considered by football
chiefs next week.
The plan would completely revive the domestic knockout competition
and possibly break the present stranglehold on European places by
the Premier League's 'big four'.
The proposals are the brainchild of UEFA president and France
football legend Michel Platini who will unveil the idea before next
week's group stage draw of the Champions League.
Platini wanted to reduce the maximum number of Champions League
entrants from any one country from four to three but that idea was
fiercely opposed by the most powerful leagues and clubs in
Europe.
However, he has now introduced the domestic cup option as a
compromise.
England would therefore retain its four slots from the 2009-2010
season but one would go to the FA Cup winners. In this way, it is
thought that the teams would spread beyond the predictable and
familiar sides who would normally fight it out for a place in the
prestigious European competition.
It is also thought that a Champions League prize would increase the
value of the FA Cup. Under Platini's plans, only the three leading
nations - England Spain and Italy - will retain four entrants, but
only three based on league position.
The proposal has the support of the Football Association.