adminEUROPEAN football’s governing body has denied a report that it is considering expanding the European Championship. The report, in the Independent on Sunday, said Uefa wanted to upgrade the tournament and introduce competitors from outside the continent, making it a rival to the World Cup.
It claimed other teams that could play in the revamped event would include Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Japan.
But a spokesman for the governing body dismissed the claims and said: “Uefa is not aware of the plans mentioned in the story.”
The prospect of such a move – which would effectively create a second World Cup – seems improbable, with Fifa unlikely to countenance anything that would undermine its showcase event.
Changes to the European Championship have already been introduced, with the 2016 tournament to be expanded from 16 to 24 teams and the 2020 event being played in a number of different European countries.
Earlier this year, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said holding the tournament across the continent would mean it “lacks heart and soul”.
But Uefa president Michel Platini said: “Everyone has the right to an opinion on Uefa projects.
“I have no problem with that, and I respect everyone’s opinion, including, of course, that of Mr Blatter, with whom – contrary to what I have read in some places – I get on perfectly well. Our relationship is intact, even though we obviously cannot always agree on everything.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said he believes in-form striker Daniel Sturridge can become a major asset for England.
Sturridge and Luis Suarez continued their prolific partnership against Crystal Palace at Anfield, scoring a goal each and creating a host of other problems for the Eagles as Liverpool briefly returned to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win.
The Merseysiders are the top flight’s second-top scorers, and the combination of Suarez, back after the ten-match ban imposed for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last season, and former Blues man Sturridge has been key to their excellent start.-Soccernet.
Online Reporter