Milan director Umberto Gandini has suggested ‘wildcard’ entry to the Champions League for ‘teams of prestige’, but UEFA say no.
The Rossoneri are among the notable sides not competing in this season’s edition of the tournament, like Manchester United, as a consequence of their low League position last term.
Milan director Umberto Gandini has suggested ‘wildcard’ entry to the Champions League for ‘teams of prestige’, but UEFA say no.
The Rossoneri are among the notable sides not competing in this season’s edition of the tournament, like Manchester United, as a consequence of their low League position last term.
However, for one of their directors, there needs to be an added opportunity to get them back into the competition, to avoid suffering financially.
“If you are not able to be at the same level in terms of investment in your squad, then you pay a big price because to then not play in Europe leads to large reductions in the ability to spend,” Gandini has commented this week at the Leaders in Sport conference.
“Every year there are big teams that lose out on the opportunity to get into the Champions League. There should be some sort of wildcard or play-off for them.
“There should be a wildcard for the teams that have prestige and who also have the stature to compete in the Champions League.”
UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino was also in attendance at the London event this week and was immediately on hand to offer reaction.
“There is no chance that a wildcard will be applied in the context of European competitions. It will never happen.
“The European Cup is not an affair of play-offs and wildcards, but of competitive and sporting merit.”