Champions League format reformed for 2009/12

UEFA president Michel Platini, seen here in Lucerne, saw his plans to help the smaller nations make their mark on the European Champions League for the period 2009/12, approved by the UEFA executive committee.

A reform of the European Champions League for the period 2009/12 was agreed by the UEFA executive committee on Friday night.

The idea of UEFA president Michel Platini to include Cup winners in a preliminary competition was thrown out but his plans to help the smaller nations make their mark on the event were kept.

"I'm happy we were able to come to this decision," Platini said. "It's a good compromise and means we will welcome six new nation champions into the event."

Platini's plans to have the Cup winners of the top 16 European nations playing in a preliminary competition for a total of four Champions League places was not agreed on.

Instead there will be a two-round preliminary phase compromising 15 clubs fighting for five group berths.

Platini said the new plans would mean countries such as Romania or Albania would be able to benefit from money from Champions League television rights meaning they could hang on to their best players.

"Certain people have said allowing smaller nations in would weaken the competition," Platini added. "Perhaps that will be so in the early years but after that the difference will be less and less."