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SPORTS Saturday 8 June 2019

More European clubs oppose plan to overhaul Champions League

PARIS (AP) — Teams from chief executive Peter Pe-
France, Germany, Italy, ters said "we need now to
Portugal and Switzerland start with a blank page" by
have added their voices abandoning the current
to concerns about plans to concept.
transform the Champions "We need to guarantee the
League. long-term sporting as well
As more than 150 European economic sustainability of
Club Association members both the national champi-
met Friday in Malta, The onships and the European
Associated Press obtained competitions," Lazio presi-
statements from executives dent Claudio Lotito said.
at Schalke, Lazio, Saint-Eti- Agnelli said at a news con-
enne, Monaco, Bordeaux, ference in Malta that "it is
Braga, Basel and Young not an easy task" to reach
Boys expressing opposition agreement. The UEFA-led
to the Champions League consultation would likely
becoming a largely closed reach decisions no earlier
competition. than a December meeting
The expressions of dissent of its executive committee.
follow the Premier League "If 70 to 80% of the constitu-
announcing that England's ency will be satisfied with
20 clubs all opposed the the result, it's going to be
club-driven concept pre- Liverpool's Jordan Henderson lifts the trophy to celebrate with his teammates winning the Cham- a very good result," Agnelli
sented by UEFA in recent pions League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the Wanda Metro- said, calling on his mem-
talks with the European politano Stadium in Madrid, Saturday, June 1, 2019. bers to "engage positively
Leagues group and nation- Associated Press with intellectual honesty"
al federations . shaping European soccer.
There is also a split in Spain Juventus chairman Andrea The concept circulating more Champions League The new plan would pro-
, where seven of the coun- Agnelli, has pushed for 24 since March also calls for games is cutting 20-team mote and relegate teams
try's nine ECA members are out of 32 group teams start- eight-team groups instead national leagues — such between the Champions
part of the resistance. Bar- ing in 2024 to return the fol- of four, guaranteeing as the Premier League, the League with the Europa
celona and Real Madrid lowing season. It could re- clubs 14 games before the Spanish league and Serie League, which would have
appear to remain behind move much of the intrigue knockout rounds instead of A — to as few as 16 teams. similar locked-in places
the organization. Both clubs in domestic leagues, where the current six. Smaller leagues risk having and movement with a new
have seats on the board. there is a chase for Europe- One option to find space in less commercial value. third-tier competition start-
The ECA, which is led by an qualification places. a congested calendar for From Germany, Schalke ing in 2021.q
Pakistan, Sri Lanka share points in 1st washout at World Cup

By BRIAN CHURCH against Bangladesh here
Associated Press Tuesday. Pakistan plays de-
BRISTOL, England (AP) — fending champion Austra-
The Cricket World Cup had lia in Taunton the following
its first washout on Friday, day. Pakistan had ended
with rain preventing any a run of 11 straight losses in
ball being bowled in the one-day internationals by
group match between beating top-ranked Eng-
Pakistan and Sri Lanka. land by 14 runs in a thriller
The 11th game of the tour- at Trent Bridge on Mon-
nament always looked day. That impressive per-
under threat on Day 9 af- formance came after its
ter persistent rain in the second-lowest World Cup
morning at Bristol's County total of 105 in a shambolic
Ground. opening loss to West Indies.
The rain started to ease "As a team we really want-
around noon and condi- ed to play this match espe-
tions had improved at the cially after gaining momen-
time of a pitch inspection, tum with the win against
with occasional sunshine, Ground staff work to clear water off the outfield prior to the Cricket World Cup match between England," Pakistan captain
but umpires decided the Pakistan and Sri Lanka, at Bristol County Ground, in Bristol, England, Friday June 7, 2019. Sarfaraz Ahmed said. "It is
ground was too wet. The Associated Press unfortunate that we were
decision was announced not able to play.
shortly after 3:45 p.m. local Hundreds of Pakistan and rupted game, where the point more than its oppo- "We have great team spirit
time (1445 GMT). Sri Lanka fans, draped in 1996 champions beat Af- nent. Pakistan had won and our confidence is on a
It was only the second fix- their country's colors, had ghanistan in Cardiff. all seven of their previous high after beating England.
ture across five men's Crick- hoped at least for a re- Pakistan and Sri Lanka went CWC completed match- We would want to carry
et World Cup tournaments duced, 20-over match but into the game with a win es with Sri Lanka, includ- the momentum into the re-
in England, dating back to took the decision well. Sri and a loss, and now each ing three in England and maining games. We won't
1975, that not a single ball Lanka supporters have al- get a point for the washout. Wales. relax in our remaining six
was bowled in a game. ready seen one rain-inter- Sri Lanka will value that Sri Lanka's next game is matches."q