The UEFA has announced the "new schedule for the UEFA Champions League starting in 2024," reprimanding the match scheduling system of the English league. The Champions League format will change in 2024, increasing the number of teams to 36, as UEFA seeks to reform the tournament and present it in the best possible way. It sent a strong message to the English league officials regarding their match timings.
UEFA stated in an official statement: "We take this opportunity to remind that the fundamental principles of the international calendar have not changed, and local competition matches cannot be played at the same time as any European competition."
The statement added, "We understand that unforeseen circumstances may necessitate moving a local match to coincide with another European competition, but this does not serve the interests of fans and harms football."
This message comes in response to the phenomenon of scheduling English league matches on the same dates as European competitions, which happened last season with Chelsea, as well as Arsenal and Manchester City playing at the same time, making the European tournament less significant.
