26 Sep 2008Uefa Cup gets a makeover

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

The Uefa Cup will be renamed and rebranded from next season, it has been confirmed today (September 26th).

The new-look competition, which will be called the 'Uefa Europa League' and have a new logo, will feature 48 teams split into 12 groups of four, playing each other home and away.

Teams who finish third in their Champions League groups will still be incorporated into the tournament, joining the top two from each group in a 32-team knock-out stage.

Uefa president Michel Platini said: "I am convinced the new format will give the Uefa Europa League a successful new impetus.

"These changes will improve this historic competition, which is very important for Uefa and for European football as it gives more fans, players and clubs the thrill of European club football."

Clubs have been boosted by the news that they will receive more money from the new tournament as it will have its TV rights sold centrally, similar to the Champions League.

Interestingly, it has also been confirmed that losing cup finalists will no longer qualify for the competition if their conquerors have already sealed a Champions League place.

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