Premier League clubs are attempting to convince European sides to reject a proposal by the European Clubs Association to change the format of the Champions League.
The plan would see the elite sides in the continent play a total of 14 group games, with four groups of eight clubs, before the top four clubs in each group go through to a last-sixteen knockout phase.
It would mean that in total the eventual winners would have to play 21 games to be victorious in the competition and it could see the Carabao Cup being scrapped as a result, because it would clash with midweek Champions League fixtures.
According to the Sun the plans are being met with approval by teams in Spain, Italy and Germany amongst others, but there is opposition from the Premier League, with every team in the big six as well as Newcastle , Everton and Leicester rejecting the ideas proposed at a recent meeting in London.
There are also plans for the Europa League to follow a similar format and for the introduction of a third European competition.
Speaking to the Sun an insider said: “This is a sign the biggest clubs recognise the importance of English football as a whole.
“They are not fighting for themselves — they would potentially earn more money from Europe.
“But they know it would damage the Premier League, the EFL, even the National League. It is about helping to keep the whole game alive.”
Uefa and the ECA want to make a concrete proposal by November, while there is another ECA general assembly meeting next month in which the matters will be discussed further.
English clubs were dominant in Europe last season, with Liverpool beating Tottenham in the final of the Champions League and Chelsea overcoming Arsenal in the Europa League final.
