Sam Allardyce has admitted concerns that the selection of Michel
Platini as new Uefa president could end any hopes Bolton had of
playing UEFA Champions League football.
Platini was elected as European football's new supremo after
beating former president Lennart Johansson in the voting.
The French legend is keen to limit the maximum number of clubs in
the Champions League from one country to three, one less than
currently allowed.
With the Premiership's big four likely to dominate for many years
yet, Bolton would likely have to settle for Uefa Cup football at
best under Platini's plan.
Although Allardyce has welcomed the arrival of Platini, the
Trotters chief is concerned about the impact he could have on the
smaller clubs.
"In one way it is nice to see a football man in charge," Allardyce
said. "But on the other hand if he wants to take a Champions League
place away from us that is to the detriment of the
Premiership.
"If he can get away with that it is going to bring a lot of
heartache to our league. It would be a big blow.
"It gives us virtually no chance whatsoever of qualifying for the
Champions League.
"Would we be any worse than the Hungarian champions or the
Slovakian champions? I think not."
Allardyce's next aim is to get Bolton into the Champions League and
he would be upset if that possibility all but disappeared.
He added: "You always have the dream you can get into Europe or a
cup final. We have fulfilled that. If the next challenge is beyond
you forever that is very sad."
