SPURS VS JOSE?
THE RELUCTANT WAR FOR THE EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE
UEFA’s bid to spread the love has sprouted a third European competition for 2021-22 and beyond – and it might just present a tasty reunion from the off
For the first time in half a century, a new European club competition begins in early July – potentially leading to a showdown between Tottenham and Jose Mourinho.
A fresh continental tournament hasn’t been launched since the UEFA Cup replaced the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup back in 1971, but Europe’s governing body is introducing the Europa Conference League – largely to give clubs from smaller nations more opportunity to play European football up to Christmas.
The idea of reintroducing a third club competition throughout the season – for the first time since the demise of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999 – was first mooted six years ago during Michel Platini’s final days of presidency. Platini had previously reformed Champions League qualification to give smaller countries a greater chance of representation in the group stage – given that UEFA presidential elections are one vote per country, keeping more nations sweet has never been the worst idea.