According to the Guardian, Europe’s powerful G14 group containing members of the continent’s biggest clubs is set to be disbanded in its current form as part of a deal struck with UEFA President Michel Platini over the future format of the Champions League.
Platini had proposed to have the domestic cup winners in each country qualify automatically for the Champions League, a move that G14 was vehemently opposed to. According to the report, Platini has now backed down and will instead allow national soccer associations to decide how teams qualify for the prestigious club competition. As G14 clubs wield significant influence in their respective countries, a change in Champions League qualifying is unlikely to occur in England, Italy, Spain or Germany.
In exchange for Platini’s concession, the Guardian says that G14 will be rebranded as an independent, international club organization that pledges to work more closely with UEFA and other international conferences.