
PREM big hitters have vowed they will not accept any changes to the Champions League that will hurt English football.
The message was delivered by a high-powered delegation to the European Clubs Association at their general assembly in Malta.
Juventus President Andrea Agnelli accused the Prem and Europes other big five leagues of protectionism over their opposition to his plans.
But senior figures from the Big Six, including Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, Uniteds Ed Woodward, Ferran Soriano of Manchester City and Chelseas Bruce Buck, flew together from Leeds yesterday morning to reiterate their stance that they will not sacrifice the Prem.
The nine clubs - completed by Everton, Newcastle and Leicester - left the leagues summer meeting early to reiterate the Prems unanimous view that Agnellis plans were deeply flawed and unacceptable.
Prem clubs fear any attempts to revamp European competition will come to the detriment of the English game.
It is envisaged that a new Champions League will create a self-elected elite to the exclusion of smaller clubs.
Agnelli, though, claimed: This reform is not really about the big clubs. This reform is about Europe.
What has been really disappointing so far has been the whole conversation has been driven by representatives of the big five leagues.
I see it as a protectionism of the big five leagues against the rest of European football."
One model would see the top six teams in each eight-club group - requiring 21 games to win the competition - automatically qualifying for the next season.
The Prem sides fear there is a limit to the amount of money that TV companies will be willing to pay and that any changes would see English football risking a significant financial hit which would damage the competitiveness of the League as a whole.
Jordan Henderson lifts the Champions League trophy for Liverpool after beating Tottenham in Madrid final




