The heads of the two of football bodies clashed on Tuesday over their philosophies.
Andreas Agnelli, the Juventus chairman and president of the European Clubs Association (ECA), re-iterated intends to revamp European team competition by introducing a third tier beneath the Europa League and promoting a system of promotion through the pyramid, based exclusively upon functionality in Europe, maybe not through nationally results.
His argument relies on the fact that Europes elite clubs would qualify whatever the system set up, whereas teams such as Leicester and Celtic (just two of the examples he mentioned ) would gain from having the ability to grow and develop within European competition instead of risk missing out due to domestic performance or needing to play qualifiers annually due to a decrease coefficient.
Regardless of changes are brought, I do not think that they will change the involvement of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or PSG, explained Agnelli.
I believe whats important is developing a system that a team like Leicester, should they do neglect and enter the system they can grow with it and not only relegated to domestic value, that is what we ought to be looking at.
What is happening now, unless you are part of the 12 or 15 teams that participate almost every calendar year, participating in European competition isnt just winning the lottery, however will be the new axis to a innovative system that lets you grow and possibly turn your brand into an international brand.
However, Lars-Christer Olsson, chairman of the Association of European Professional Football Leagues (European Leagues) believes eligibility for European team competitions should be determined by domestic performance on a season-by-season basis. The European Leagues dont believe the ECAs suggestion would work and could in effect encourage aclosed league.
Meritocracy for me should be sporting achievement, that needs to be reflected in the worldwide competitions according to recent success, said Olsson.
If we choose the Premier League as an example and Leicester is a fantastic example, I think even Brighton should have the ability to win the Premier League and represent England in the Champions League for instance.
For me, its not a problem which Real Madrid is winning the Champions League three days in a row if they are good enough. Thats what I am by meritocracy. Theyre developing their football in order that they could beat anybody else and if Real Madrid would be the ideal team in a row, thats fine. However, not if its based on each of the names in the past. Its what theyre currently delivering that should find them be in international competitions.
That is also what makes it interesting for the fans. It means that each season is intriguing when it has to do with the eligibility for the positions that are worldwide. And in my opinion which should be groups from year to year, in an perfect situation. And this is where Leicester comes in, and hopefully where Brighton comes in as well.
The pair were both talking at Leaders in Sports Business Summit in London.