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WEEKEND WONDERS

Champions League games could be held on a Saturday despite opposition from Premier League clubs

Uefa bigwigs plan to follow revamp with games at a weekend to maximise TV audience

ENGLISH clubs are set to fight Uefa plans to play Champions League games on a Saturday.

Following the high-profile revamp of the competition - which guarantees teams from England, Germany, Italy and Spain four spots each year - there is a fear that traditional domestic football could be at risk.

The Champions League format is undergoing a controversial revamp
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The Champions League format is undergoing a controversial revampCredit: Getty Images
Bayern Munich are said to be keen on the new changes
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Bayern Munich are said to be keen on the new changesCredit: Getty Images

And Premier League clubs are worried that the next step will be Saturday games - to maximise TV audiences.

Uefa moved the final to a Saturday night in 2010 and the next step following the revamp could be for knock-out games to follow suit.

The closed shop Champions League could spell the end of fairytales like Leicester
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The closed shop Champions League could spell the end of fairytales like LeicesterCredit: PA:Press Association

But there is expected to be a lot of opposition to any such plans - especially if they disrupt the domestic calendar at the business end of the season.

A Prem source told the : "This is a red-line issue that we wouldn't even contemplate."

Whereas Scottish chief Neil Doncaster called it 'the direction of travel' for the future 2021-24 negotiations, which suggests Premier League opposition could be in vain.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus are all reportedly in favour of such changes.

But there is a fear that a closed shop Champions League could spell the end of fairytales like Leicester, who have enjoyed two wins since their debut match in the competition.

The new revamp also includes greater prize money for clubs who've won the competition before.

Games begin again after the international break, with Manchester City travelling to face Barcelona and Arsenal hosting Ludogorets.



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