Source: Daily_Mail
Majority back Champions League play-offs idea... but not the big four
A scheme to introduce play-off matches to determine the fourth Champions League place could be in place as early as next season if plans are approved at the Barclays Premier League's annual meeting this summer. The proposal, which sees those clubs finishing from fourth to seventh fighting it out for the final Champions League place, is being examined by Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and the league's secretary, Mike Foster. Between 12 and 16 clubs are believed to be keen to explore the issue. Play-off push: Premier league chiefs are considering plans to revamp fourth spot It would involve the team in fourth playing a home game against the side in seventh, with the fifth-placed club at home to the sixth. The winners would meet in a Wembley play-off. The viability of the proposal will be reported on by Scudamore in April and could be put to the vote in the summer. It would need the support of 14 of the 20 clubs and, although Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are understood to be against the idea, it could still be implemented next season. One obstacle would be how to cram the extra games into a packed fixture list. The plan would also depend on a separate TV deal - the most recent domestic rights agreement starts next season and runs until 2013 - to show additional games. In the hunt: United and Villa are both competing for Champions League spots A source at a Premier League club said: 'We'd like to hear the proposal in full before acting on it rather than responding to a leak which suits the top four clubs. We have a Premier League meeting in March and if there is still interest it will be brought to the summer meeting.' EVERTON (probable, 4-4-1-1): Howard; Neville, Senderos, Distin, Baines;Donovan, Osman, Arteta, Pienaar; Cahill; Saha. TV: ESPN 5.15 (kick-off5.45pm).Everton boss David Moyes has serious misgivings. Speaking ahead of his side's Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon at Goodison Park tonight, he said: 'It might be quite exciting, but you should be judged on where you are at the end of 38 games. 'Say it's Spurs who finished fourth, and then find that they're beaten by the team that finished seventh. They'd be aggrieved because they would have worked so hard only to be judged on a cup competition.' David Beckham won't let emotion stand in the way of booting Manchester United out of the Champions LeagueArsenal beware: Incredible Hulk ready to rampage for Porto in Euro showdownMilan old boys look just like dummies ahead of clash against UnitedMascherano can lead us back to fourth place, insists Liverpool boss Benitez