Champions League: English dominance in the league stage prompts a rethink

A number of European clubs have called for the Champions League rules to be changed to allow teams from the same country to draw each other in the league stage.

This comes amid concerns that the growing power of the English Premier League is having a negative impact on teams from other countries.

Since the new Champions League format was introduced for the 2024-25 season to protect the country – meaning no teams from the same league can play each other – it has remained in place during the eight matches that make up the first stage of the competition.

It is then removed for all knockout rounds.

But with three English clubs in the first pot of the league stage this season, draw conditions had to be put in place for non-English clubs in order to respect the rule.

Teams felt aggrieved because it effectively increased the chances of a tougher draw.

This means that Barcelona, ​​Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid had to play two matches against Premier League teams.

Some had to withdraw Arsenal, Tottenham or Newcastle from Pots 2, 3 and 4 to avoid a deadlock.

For example, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona had to be given a match against Newcastle from Pot Four. Without these restrictions they could have faced Kairat, Almaty or Paphos.

On paper at least, forcing the Magpies to pay is more difficult.