Monday, March 27, 2006

Man Utd chief denies breakaway reports

Manchester United chief David Gill has denied suggestions Europe's top clubs want to break away from Uefa and form their own league.

He told Radio Five Live's Sportsweek: "I can categorically deny Manchester United or any other club in Europe has any interest in forming our own league.
"We are very comfortable with Uefa running the Champions League. It is the best competition in the world."
Gill said clubs would welcome a return to 17 European games rather than 13.
That change came three years ago when a second group stage was abandoned in favour of quarter-finals.
United are part of the 18 European clubs that make up the G14 group, which also includes Arsenal and Liverpool.
Gill added: "We are looking at how we can return from 13 to 17 match days.
"We weren't happy when it was reduced three years ago and we would like it to go back up to that level.
"The problem of the international calendar has never been solved and we want to look at it and have a dialogue."