Manchester City News 24/7Writer: Lincolnsmariner 
Date:Monday February 15 2010
Time: 3:42AM
UK time is: 07:30:36
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Seventh Could Be Enough For The Champions League
A new initiative could see the Premier League introduce an end if season play-off for a Champions League position for teams finishing fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.
Under the current rules, only the teams that finish first to fourth qualify for the prestigious cup competition, however, with the traditional 'big 4' strangle-hold on the qualification berth, the play-offs hope to increase the competition for a place by allowing a greater opportunity for teams to bridge the gap.
The Guardian reports that the play-off proposal was presented on 4th February, and that Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, is to return with further details in April.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are all said to oppose the plans, although the rest of the league is currently in favour. It is thought that while fourth place is under challenge from a number of clubs including the likes of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham, the play-offs would mean that the rest of the top-flight clubs would have a chance at qualifying in seventh, making for a more exciting league.
A 14-6 majority is required for the changes to be implemented, with current figures showing that it would be approved. A consensus is yet to be reached on the format and timing of the proposed play-off competition, although with the potential for massive amounts of TV revenue, it is possible that a two-leg home and away structure might be favoured.
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Your Comments
Its not right, whoever get into the top four deserve the right to go into the CL, you cannot change the rules now, because if by a fluke the 7th club gets there, what chance really have they in competing realistically in the CL league. It has to be on merot and not a knock out farce.
Buzz Lightyear
I think its a bad idea. Why change the rules now after all these years. Would rather play CL on merit with a top 4 finish.
johnkelv
So finishing 7th a multitude of points behind the team finishing fourth and you could still get in - ridiculous!
merlin
It will never affect Pompey so I guesws I am truly neutral .. But what a load of tosh .. The only way to get rid of the top 4 stranglehold is to invent a new rule .. that stinks.. imagine if you guys managed to get 4th and then had to go through a play-off .. frankly it stinks !
Chix
Stupid idea the champions league is the champions league for a reason, because only the best teams from around Europe play in it. If seventh place gets a run in the champions league it would be really disappointing.
khoder
pish posh
Lando78
Not really a huge amount worse than 4th place getting in to the so called "Champions" League. I also reckon you guys would be singing a different tune if you hadn't had your recent cash injection.
YatesyVillain
What a load of crap! 4th means champions league - simple as that. Its fine when utd, chelsea, arsenal and liverpool have the top4 on lock for ten years, as soon as other teams start seriously competing, PL wants to cash in. The PL want experienced teams in CL because they are likely to progress through to the later stages, so england keeps 4team quota in uefa cl which means more money. Also the top4 are the most marketable worldwide, PL will lose out financially if villa or city get top4. If city finish 5th, 6th, 7th then we dont deserve CL. First the possible portsmouth point deduction and now this, city never get a break.
Super City Slicker
why would liverpool oppose it???they should welcome it!!
mcfcirish
These people have no shame. After the way they have allowed leveraged buyouts in the premiership, Scudamore should be ritually disembowelled in the centre circle after the FA Cup Final by the club mascot of whichever club wins a national referendum. Moonchester, using a Strangeways toothbrush shank, gets my vote - although it should probably just be Pompeys privilege.
Even fourth place is embarrassing for the competition. The Champions League already sucks. Too many clubs, WAY too many games. No wonder attendances of lower league teams is dropping when every pub in the land is showing the CL with its lame montages of slow mo tackles, shots, saves to some boring indie tune. People used to have a local 2nd club. Not so much of that in the Sky4 era.
The only way to regain the dignity of the competition, the fairness of the title of Champions, and still get the financial revenue they all want from it it to have the winners of the two domestic cups and the league from each country qualify.
Only Champions should play in the Champions League. Everyone else from 2 to 4 should go into the UEFA cup on a one-leg knockout tournament basis. Why take the moral high ground about this? Its already a bull***** competition. May as well offer up a place to the team with the fittest WAGs.
DarthGonzo
So if say Man City finished fourth on 72 points and Liverpool finished seventh with 58 it would be unfair if Liverpool could sneak in by winning a play off
arthur7171
DarthGonzo - brilliant post mate. Absolutely spot on.
Bluedub
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