Top 4 guaranteed CL place from 2018

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

According to Gabrielle Marcotti, the 4th place teams in Spain, Germany, England and Italy (as the top 4 ranked countries) will not have to play a qualifier from 2018 and will automatically go into the CL groups. It means the top 4 will have at least half of the teams in the group stages. Apparently this has been agreed to stave off some demands from the clubs, which included allowing clubs entry for 'historic merit', playing games on a Saturday and the clubs co-owning the competition.
Looks like the rags, dippers and Milan clubs have been held at bay for now although that may well change if France and Russia overtake England and Italy.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Probably a sensible compromise tbh.

 

[aguero93:20]

So no qualification for either set of rats then.

 

[MCFC1993]

Probably the best compromise we could hope for, miles better than that shit idea of 'history guaranteeing you a spot'.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Eh. Makes some sense.

 

[oakiecokie]

Well Wenger will be pissed off, seeing he wont be there after that date.

 

[MarsLlama]

Feel bad for Liverpool, historic merit was their best hope (until Klopp came along, now he's their best hope).

 

[aguero93:20]

Feel bad for Liverpool, historic merit was their best hope (until Klopp came along, now he's their best hope).

After that maybe they can give Mark Hamill a shout.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

According to Gabrielle Marcotti, the 4th place teams in Spain, Germany, England and Italy (as the top 4 ranked countries) will not have to play a qualifier from 2018 and will automatically go into the CL groups. It means the top 4 will have at least half of the teams in the group stages. Apparently this has been agreed to stave off some demands from the clubs, which included allowing clubs entry for 'historic merit', playing games on a Saturday and the clubs co-owning the competition.
Looks like the rags, dippers and Milan clubs have been held at bay for now although that may well change if France and Russia overtake England and Italy.

This sniffs a wee bit of bullshine! Does it mean allowing teams entry on the basis of 'faded glory'?

 

[mat]

"Historical Merit" - Should be renamed "The Liverpool Rule"