Barwick backs Champions League expansion
Barwick also wants a weekend Champions League final fixture
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Saturday, 01, Sep 2007 04:03
Football Association (FA) chief executive Brian Barwick has backed Uefa's plans to allow domestic cup winners to qualify for the Champions League.
Proposed by Uefa president Michel Platini, FA Cup winners could enter the competition's qualifying rounds at the expense of the fourth placed side of the Premier League.
While Italy, Spain and England would all have three qualifiers to the group stages of the competition, a further four teams would join them after a qualifying competition between 14 domestic cup winners across Europe.
Commenting on the proposal, Barwick told BBC Radio 5 Live that the plans could allow more English clubs to qualify for the competition.
"The status quo would be acceptable but if another route is for one of those to qualify via the FA Cup then I think it is perfectly reasonable suggestion," he said.
Barwick has also called for the Champions League final to take place on a weekend, calling for a change from its traditional Wednesday evening slot.
Explaining his reason, the FA chief said he was "astounded" that "no families and children" attended last year's final in Athens.
A final decision on the proposals, which would become active in 2009 if successful, will be taken by a Uefa executive committee in November.