Man Utd ‘ Time for the Champions League to change?

By European Football
March 23 2005

According to Manchester United chief David Gill its time that the Champions league format was changed, in order to protect the big clubs from meeting each other so early in the knock out stages.

Man Utd ‘Its time for the Champions League to change’

According to Manchester United chief David Gill its time that the Champions league format was changed, in order to protect the big clubs from meeting each other so early in the knock out stages.

Manchester United were of course knocked out by AC Milan, but Gill believes the sides should have been seeded to avoid this happening and that his side deserves protection.

Gill said: "At the moment we effectively have a random draw after the group stage.

"Maybe we should use a system where the holders are rated number one and they play the 16th ranked team, number two versus 15, and so on."

He added: "It’s not good for the big clubs, not good for TV and sponsors if there are no Spanish clubs in the quarter-finals.”

"When the draw for the group stage is made, each club’s co-efficient is used. “

"Given it is unlikely we will ever go back to a situation of having two group stages, maybe we should use a system during the knock-out phase that also reflects the rankings. “

"AC Milan were discussing this before we played them, so it is not a knee-jerk reaction."