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.Clubs voted against looking into the idea at the Premier League's board meeting on Wednesday. Race is on: Liverpool and Manchester City are top-four rivalsChairmen decided against taking the proposal any further after the idea surfaced at last month's meeting.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.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.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. Contenders: Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko and Villa's Gabriel AgbonlahorAny 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.Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore admitted there was 'not enough support' for the proposal.'The main topic of discussion was the Champions League play-off for that fourth qualifying place,' he told Sky Sports News.'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.' 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