La Liga says UEFA third competition plans endanger European soccer

MADRID (Reuters): Spain’s La Liga said on Thursday that UEFA’s plans for a third club competition “endanger the future” of European soccer and risk domestic leagues becoming uncompetitive.

The Spanish football league called on European soccer’s governing body to open up dialogue with leagues and increase solidarity payments before moving ahead with plans for a third major club competition.

This is set to be introduced from the 2021-22 season with 32 teams in the group stage, the head of the association representing Europe’s biggest clubs said in September.

“Fundamental issues related to the long-term health of clubs, programming, TV rights, competitive balance in national leagues and the relationship between national leagues and European club competition have been ignored,” La Liga said.

“While the European leagues have accepted the introduction of a third club competition, UEFA can’t take these decisions on their own without considering the leagues that will be affected,” La Liga President Javier Tebas said in a statement.