UEFA scraps Champions League second group phase

Nyon, Switzerland:

European football's governing body today decided to change the format of the Champions League as from the 2003-2004 season, maintaining a field of 32 participants but scrapping the second round group stage to reduce the number of matches clubs have to play. Eight groups of four will compete in the opening round, followed by a two-leg knockout stage for the last 16, the quarter-finals and the semi-finals, UEFA's Executive Committee said. "We believe this reduction in the size of the competition is in the longer term interests of everyone involved - clubs, players, fans, broadcasters, sponsors and European football in general," said UEFA President, Lennart Johansson. (AP)