The UEFA Executive Committee met via videoconference on Thursday to discuss the guidelines regarding European competitions eligibility amongst other issues.
The biggest revelation is the idea that should domestic leagues not manage to finish their campaigns due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a system of ‘sporting merit’ should be used to select the clubs that will be part of the UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues next season.
In the Premier League, for example, this would likely see Liverpool, Manchester City, Leicester City and Chelsea handed spots in the Champions League while Manchester United and Sheffield United would take up the two automatic places in the Europa League.
This of course if Manchester City are successful in appealing their ban for European competitions.
This would mean Arsenal. Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers would all be absent for next seasons European tournaments.
Another suggestion from UEFA is the idea of playoffs when the domestic season returns in order to decide these places which would come in the form of one-off ties between clubs.
Speaking on the matter, UEFA released the following statement:
 “Of the two scenarios being examined by the Calendar Working Group, both envisage domestic football starting before Uefa club competitions, with one seeking to run the competitions in parallel and the other to complete domestic matches before restarting Uefa matches in August.
“The Committee heard of the work of the newly-established Medical sub group, chaired by Professor Tim Meyer, examining the health issues surrounding a return to football, which is working alongside the European Club Association and European Leagues to link the work already being done by leagues and clubs to produce a set of guidelines which will align with the best health protocols available. The Committee valued the unity shown across European football and the emphasis being placed on prioritising health in trying to establish a path to football’s return.
The committee also confirmed that the European championships which will now take place next year will still be called ‘UEFA Euro 2020’.
