Platini calls for Euro shake-up

Last updated : 05 May 2003 By Gary Purvis
FIFA Executive committee member, Platini said: "What I would like most of all is that all the national champions compete in a real Champions League.

"Then we can add other clubs, no problem. In fact we need a financial study to see if we can organise just one cup.

"The UEFA Cup has lost its prestige because now it contains teams that finished sixth and seventh in the big leagues domestically, whereas before it was teams that finished second and third.''

"We must study the possibility of a cup with 256 teams at the start and direct home-and-away elimination matches.

"That would be a real cup. It's an idea that needs discussion."