© EPA/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

MOSCOW, March 30. /TASS/. The General Assembly of the European club Association (ECA) approved changes in the format of club competitions, under the auspices of the Union of European football associations (UEFA), which will enter into force in 2018. It is reported portal Insidethegames.

The key change is the participation of four clubs in the group stage of the Champions League from countries in four of the UEFA rankings. The implementation of reforms will be carried out from 2018 to 2021.

“Reform of the competition of club tournaments is without a doubt very good news for all European clubs”, – said the Chairman of ECA, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

ECA is the sole independent body directly representing football clubs at European level. ESA defines as its goal the creation of a new, more democratic model of governance that reflects the Central role of clubs in football.