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Football London
Football London
Sport
James Benge

Arsenal involved in possible 'Super Champions League' talks as top clubs plan changes from 2024

The European Clubs Association (ECA) has set out on its first steps in a process that could leave to a radical overhaul of the Champions League from 2024.

The ECA, whose 232-strong representation of the continent's top clubs includes Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, met in Amsterdam this week to discuss proposals that it has been speculated could see Champions League games moved to weekends, which has been ruled out, or promotion and relegation from the competition.

Andrea Agnelli, chairman of both the ECA and Serie A giants Juventus, said that promotion and relegation, which was "natural" in domestic leagues, "might be logical internationally".

UEFA's Executive Committee and the ECA discussed next steps for the Champions League, Europa League and a planned third continental competition on March 19.

"We have now launched the process to develop a vision for the future of UEFA Club Competitions post-2024," Agnelli said. "This is the start of a journey that will see further and deep engagement with all professional game stakeholders, prior to reaching any formal decisions."

Talk of a European Super League has been intense for several years, with clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea named last year in a Football Leaks investigation. Both have stressed they remain committed to their domestic competitions.

The major Champions League rule changes that could impact Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur  

Angelli said the ECA was eager to ensure more teams are able to compete in European competition on a more regular basis but also emphasised that the continent's top clubs must take a leading role in talks with UEFA over any more prestigious competition.

"We are talking and in a few months we will see if the new competition will be open for everyone," he said. "The process will be open and transparent, as was the meeting with UEFA.

Revealed: Dates and venues for Arsenal's mouthwatering 2019 International Champions Cup fixtures  

"This is how football should be in the future and the talks will take place between two and 20 months.

"The dialogue will be open for all the clubs and we will look for a fair system for football and for European clubs, without forgetting all the parties.

"We are the centrepiece of world football and we must drive change.

The Champions League trophy. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

"There will be a new Super-Champions League in co-operation with UEFA."

Arsenal had a particularly powerful presence on the ECA until recently, with their former CEO Ivan Gazidis on the executive board. Having switched to AC Milan the 54-year-old was required to stand for re-election, which he did successfully.

Gazidis will now see out the remainder of his term, through to September this year.

Ivan Gazidis returns to Arsenal and lures key behind the scenes figure to AC Milan  

Amid talks between UEFA and the ECA over continental changes FIFA is attempting a radical overhaul of its Club World Cup, which it intends to turn into a Confederations Cup replacement that will take place every four years, involving 24 clubs.

Gazidis said that  "unless and until" progress is made on a "coordinated calendar" across the sport "we can't take part".

Who's who at Arsenal, what the top brass do and what Raul Sanllehi needs in a technical director  

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