Backwards step

Arsenal coach criticizes Champions League changes

PARIS (Reuters) -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger warned that big clubs, including his London side, could be tempted to break away from UEFA competitions if the new format of the Champions League led to a loss of revenue.

In an interview with French sports daily l'Equipe published Tuesday, the Frenchman hit out at plans to trim down the Champions League format and to suppress the second group phase to make the competition shorter and more interesting.

The new formula is expected to be applied next season and means teams will play fewer matches and hence make less money.

"UEFA have gone backwards. They could have chosen to make things progress but they have made them go backwards," he said.

"This leads us, with Manchester United and other big clubs, to seriously consider alternatives given our financial obligations.

"It is now necessary to readjust the current financial situation. Otherwise we'll have no other choice but going elsewhere," he said.

Wenger said the new formula would not improve falling television audiences.

"Let's imagine that ITV holds the Champions League rights for Britain and there are no English clubs left in the last 16. "Do you think that television audiences will increase? Of course not," he said.

Last month, Wenger called in British newspapers for "a real Champions League" of nine or 10 clubs having won their domestic leagues.

 

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