EPFL Call Meeting to Discuss 'Unacceptable' European Football Changes by UEFA

UEFA's plan to reform the Champions League and guarantee Europe's top four leagues four automatic places in the group stage from 2018-19 onwards has been met with fury by the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), and it prompted them to call a meeting to discuss the issues.

The EPFL believe the major changes have been made "without the support and consensus of the organisers of domestic league football in Europe" and will have a hugely detrimental effect on the continent's game, causing the gap between the big and small clubs to become even more pronounced.

The organisation accused UEFA of breaching the Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties, a move that could see the EPFL terminate the agreement and "give all European Leagues total freedom to schedule their matches as they see fit—including on the same days and at the same kick-off times as UEFA Club Competitions."

Sportcal's Martin Ross provided the statement from the EPFL in full:

As noted by European football writer Philippe Auclair, the organisation's intention to "further clarify its position" later on Thursday does not seem wholly necessary:

It is quite clear that the EPFL find the proposed changes unacceptable. 

UEFA announced the "evolution of UEFA club competitions from 2018" at the end of last month, with the key changes hugely favouring top clubs in the Premier League, La Liga, the Bundesliga and Serie A, who will "qualify automatically for the group stage of the Champions League."

The fact that the EPFL's complaints have only emerged now is something of a mystery, as they would have known of the proposed changes before the announcement, per STV Sport's Andy Coyle.

The European Club Association (ECA) recently supported the changes, with chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge saying there are "no winners and no losers...I'm convinced that everyone will benefit," per Reuters' Brian Homewood (via MailOnline).

The Press Association's Matt Slater outlined the difference between those happy with the reforms and those unhappy:

It seems that the major clubs will be the biggest beneficiaries of the changes, not least because prize money will also be redistributed to better reward historic success in European football, a move that can only help teams already established in European football's upper echelons.