Source: Daily_Mail
Premier League reject plan for play-off to decide final Champions League spot
Premier League chairmen have rejected a proposal to introduce a play-off for the final Champions League qualification spot.[LNB]Clubs voted against looking into the idea at the Premier League's board meeting on Wednesday.[LNB] Race is on: Liverpool and Manchester City are top-four rivals[LNB]Chairmen decided against taking the proposal any further after the idea surfaced at last month's meeting.[LNB]The 'big four' clubs of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal were reportedly quick to voice their opposition while other clubs were keen on the idea in principle.[LNB]The Premier League were looking into the possibility of bringing in anew system which could mean teams finishing fourth to seventh playing amini-knockout competition.[LNB]Such a move would be seen as a measure to inject more competition into the league. The same four clubs - Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal andChelsea - have filled the top four positions in five of the past sixseasons. Only Everton, in 2005, have broken their stranglehold.[LNB] Contenders: Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko and Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor[LNB]Any new proposal would not come into force for at least three years anyway because of withstanding TV deals, and it is understood fixture congestion was a factor in clubs' decision not to follow the idea up for the time being.[LNB]Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore admitted there was 'not enough support' for the proposal.[LNB]'The main topic of discussion was the Champions League play-off for that fourth qualifying place,' he told Sky Sports News.[LNB]'We gave a lot of discussion, a lot of detail, a lot of data. But there was not enough support to take the idea forward, so we won't be discussing that proposal any further.'[LNB] MARTIN SAMUEL: Next up, it's Vic and Bob's dodgy wheel to decide the Champions League slotsBenitez dismisses plans for fourth place play-off for Champions LeagueMajority back Champions League play-offs idea... but not the big fourAston Villa boss O'Neill throws weight behind Champions League play-offs[LNB][LNB]
