UEFA: Champions league qualification by ‘Sporting Merit’

UEFA also confirmed the delayed European Championships, which will be held in the summer of 2021, will still be called Euro 2020

UEFA - Champions league qualification by Sporting Merit
UEFA - Champions league qualification by Sporting Merit

UEFA has outlined qualification guidelines for the Champions League and Europa League, – but each league and association will have the power to determine how the on ‘sporting merit’ criterion is implemented, if the season is unable to be finished. 

Top UEFA executives met on Thursday to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and recommended strongly that domestic seasons across its affiliated associations should be completed. In case the season is unable to finish current season, its upto the respective league to determine the interpretation of ‘Sporting Merit’.

To be eligible to participate in the competition, clubs must have qualified for the competition on sporting merit. Sporting merit ‘should be based on objective, transparent and non-discriminatory principles.

Interpretation of Article 4 for UEFA’s Champions League and Europa League regulations

But UEFA also said they reserve the right to intervene if there is a public perception of unfairness in the qualification of the club, which would likely rule out the use of UEFA coefficient points.

European football’s governing body is keen for leagues to explore potential different formats to finish the season. The Executive Committee have said they would prefer to use different format for completing the season rather than simply cancelling it. That’s an intriguing possibility. Ultimately, it’s for the leagues to decide- if it should be a mini-tournament, and the format of it.

UEFA also confirmed the delayed European Championships, which will be held in the summer of 2021, will still be called Euro 2020.

UEFA

Premier League Standing – Top Six

  • Liverpool
  • Manchester City
  • Leicester City
  • Chelsea
  • Manchester United
  • Wolves

La Liga Standing – Top Six

  • Barcelona
  • Real Madrid
  • Sevilla
  • Real Sociedad
  • Getafe
  • Atlético Madrid

Serie A Standing – Top Six

  • Juventus
  • Lazio
  • Internazionale
  • Atalanta
  • Roma
  • Napoli

Bundesliga Standing – Top Six

  • Bayern Munich
  • Borussia Dortmund
  • RB Leipzig
  • Borussia Mönchengladbach
  • Bayer Leverkusen
  • Schalke 04

Ligue 1 Standing – Top Six

  • Paris Saint-Germain
  • Marseille
  • Rennes
  • Lille
  • Reims
  • Nice