Uefa have announced the name of it’s third European club competition which could impact on the Hammers.
After gaining final approval from the executive committee, the UEFA Europa Conference League will come into effect from the 2021/2022 season.
This idea was first being mooted back in 2015 and could allow the likes of Crystal Palace, Watford, West Ham United – and any future promoted London side – better opportunities to reach the main stages of European competition.
In recent seasons, the Hammers have failed to reach the group stages of the Europa League, while Fulham did reach the final of the competition way back in 2010.
The new competition will sit alongside the Champions League as well as the Europa League which would then increase the overall number of clubs involved in European football to 96.
ClaretandHugh says: Whether this is a great idea or not is very debatable and seems to be honest more a case of Uefa attempting to dominate rather than create another meaningful addition to the football calendar. Given that this will become the third and presumably less prestigious of the competitions it carries very little kudos and puts an unnecessary strain on club squad. Travelling to Europe and back for Thursday evening games before hoping to pick up points in the PL on Saturday is a big call as is being proved by Wolves – currently second off bottom. The only real money available from Europe is in the Champions League and thus it’s tricky to see what meaningful why and how such a competition would for the Hammers. Squad management will always be the key to European involvement but the big question is whether a new competition is required or advantageous . Not convinced!
I’m not convinced either, but this could be good for clubs trying to break into the top 6 who are falling at the first hurdle of European competitions. It would mean having a large squad and rotating players, which can only be a good thing for fringe/youth players. Although this may be a bit of a Micky Mouse cup, maybe it’s a good stepping stone for acclimatising to the busier schedule we hope to be part of, rather than a shock that effects the season.
Could this be the first steps for a European League.
I think its a good idea, seems like its less teams if I understand it correctly, which could allow the teams that struggle to maintain performance in league and Europe more of a chance because there are less games.
Given a choice I would pass on this idea.The Europa League is already a big strain on the resources of clubs outside the ‘elite’ group, with pretty meagre financial rewards. My suggestion would be to keep the number involved in European competition limited, but open up potential access to more clubs by making domestic leagues more competitive. That would mean stricter control over ownership regulations & a tougher system of FFP with real penalties. What about points deductions rather than fines that the owners sneer at or just get their lawyers to contest. Transfer bans or exclusion from the CL for a year they can live with. But yes I realise that wealthy owners have already got a stranglehold on our game, so it is probably too late.