Borussia Dortmund made their feelings crystal clear on Tuesday night regarding the proposed Champions League reforms.
Ahead of the German side’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla, which was enough to reach the quarter-finals, a banner was unveiled on Sudtribune – the largest terrace for standing spectators in European football.
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It underlined their displeasure at UEFA’s plans to revolutionise the competition, with the European Clubs’ Association (ECA) actively discussing plans for an expanded 36-team Champions League, which could start in 2024.
This will see changes made to the group stage with all teams playing ten matches against opponents of varying strengths.
Under these proposals, only two-thirds of the season would be taken up by domestic fixtures, and the Premier League have so far pushed back on the plans.
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However, it is understood UEFA could ratify the new ‘Swiss style’ format within weeks.
Meanwhile, top European clubs could be banned from signing players from each other under new rules being considered for football’s premier competition.
On the topic, ECA and Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli said: “The moment is fertile to think of greater solutions.
“We should be looking at a wide range of reforms.
“We could think of a double path transfer system, where clubs qualifying for specific tiers of international competition wouldn’t be allowed to buy each other’s players.
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“That would improve the indirect solidarity to other clubs and mean no triple-figure transfers amongst Champions League participating clubs. These are elements we are discussing.”
Erling Haaland struck a brace either side of the break to send Dortmund through to the quarter-finals of the competition after Edin Terzic’s men played out a four-goal thriller with their Spanish opponents.
It also means that Dortmund have remarkably scored in their 34th consecutive competitive match – setting a new record in professional football.
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