No support for play-off idea

Premier League chairmen have voted against the introduction of a play-off for fourth place and the final Champions League spot.

The idea had been mooted earlier in the year as a way of spicing up the race for a European place but, at a Premier League board meeting on Thursday, chairmen rejected the opportunity to look at the proposal any further at this stage.

The idea would have seen the Premier League's top-three teams all qualify automatically for European football's premier competition with the sides finishing from fourth to seventh playing off in a mini-knockout competition.

Any change would have needed the agreement of at least 14 of the 20 top-flight clubs, but Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea were all reportedly against the idea.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said:"The main topic of discussion was the Champions League play-off for that fourth qualifying place.

"We gave it a lot of discussion, a lot of detail, a lot of data. But there was not enough support to take the idea forward, so we won't be discussing that proposal any further."

Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email