Source: Daily_Mail
UEFA announces extra English Champions League berth: Spurs, Man City, Wigan and Bolton in shock race
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Tottenham, Manchester City, Wigan and Bolton are the shock front runners for a place in next season's Champions League.
UEFA chief Michel Platini late last night announced plans for the least indebted club in the Barclays Premier League to be awarded a berth in the first qualifying round of next season's top European competition.
The same prize will be afforded to the continent's three other major leagues - Spain's La Liga, the German Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A.
It will take some smart accountancy from Spurs but a Premier League insider told Sportsmail that the north London club are in the running to join mega-rich Man City and prudent Lancashire clubs Wigan and Bolton in the frame for the prized place.
Platini spokesperson Avril Faux said: 'The president of UEFA has been campaigning for Europe's elite clubs to reduce their debt for a long time now.
'He sees this initiative as a way of proving to clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea that UEFA is serious about the debt issue.
'He believes it is for the good of the game.'
Under the proposals, which are set to be ratified by the UEFA executive committee by the end of May, clubs who wish to be considered for the berth must file year-end accounts with the European governing body's independent accountants.
The successful English club stands to earn upwards of £15million should they progress to the Champions League group stage.
The first preliminary round should not cause any of the Premier League clubs much concern. Last season, opposition at the stage of the competition included Northern Irish side Linfield, champions of Malta Valletta and Welsh club Llanelli.
