Play off for 4th Champions League Place

EFC Si · December 9, 2011

Hi guys.

I remember reading on SSN last year that the FA have 'discussed' the possibility of a play-off for the 4th CL position. Obviously the teams that finish in 4 - 7 would play a two legged semi final, and have the final at Wembley, the winner going into the Champions league.

I'm surprised this isn't really brought up at all, considering that it would benefit teams such as ourselves, considering the money we'd receive from qualification. Also, being in the CL alone attracts bigger players to any club, so overall it would definitely make the league a lot more competitive and help bridge the gap between the Sky 4 or 5 or whatever. It just seems a fair way to change the Premier League now that the only factor which determines the success of any team, is how much money they have.

The Play - Off itself would be much more exciting than the FA cup even.

Tubey · December 9, 2011

Agree. It would be a massive boost the Premier League and make the competition far more exciting.

However, it would mean one of the "big four" have a much bigger chance of missing out, and the powers-that-be simply won't let that happen, so it's a pipe dream that will never, ever happen.

EFC Si · December 9, 2011

Tubey said:
Agree. It would be a massive boost the Premier League and make the competition far more exciting.

However, it would mean one of the "big four" have a much bigger chance of missing out, and the powers-that-be simply won't let that happen, so it's a pipe dream that will never, ever happen.

What if the majority of Managers would vote for it though? Like the recent RS venture for the TV rights or whatever it was, in order for it to pass they'd have to have a majority vote of 14 PL managers?

Tubey · December 9, 2011

EFC Si said:
What if the majority of Managers would vote for it though? Like the recent RS venture for the TV rights or whatever it was, in order for it to pass they'd have to have a majority vote of 14 PL managers?

Possibly. But the G12 or whatever it is would be against it as would the FA so I doubt it'd get to that stage.

Anyway, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham would vote against it for sure, which gives little room for leeway in the vote.

somuchfun · December 9, 2011

Tubey said:
Possibly. But the G12 or whatever it is would be against it as would the FA so I doubt it'd get to that stage.

Anyway, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham would vote against it for sure, which gives little room for leeway in the vote.

Arsenal, Sh*te and Tottenham would currently benefit from it as two out of the three of them won't be in CL next year. (or three out of three if that new castle luckb0xing continues). I'd be for it. I'd also do something about PL price money because 1-5 get a huge financial benefit from playing in Europe so they don't need any more reward for their placings from the PL. I'd give it all to Wigan.

EFC Si · May 15, 2013

Interesting. If it happens could potentially promote the idea of having a playoff for the CL places

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22537372 - Chelsea Aresenal to have a playoff if they end the season level points.

The Premier League has confirmed there will be a third-place play-off match between Chelsea and Arsenal if the pair end the season with identical records.
If Chelsea draw 0-0 on the final day of the season and Arsenal win 2-1, they will be level on points, goal difference and goals scored.
The play-off winner would automatically reach the Champions League group stage.
Possible permutations
Any of following score combinations would ensure Chelsea and Arsenal finish the Premier League season with identical records:

Chelsea draw 0-0; Arsenal win 2-1
Chelsea draw 1-1; Arsenal win 3-2
Chelsea draw 2-2; Arsenal win 4-3
Chelsea draw 3-3; Arsenal win 5-4

"It would be played at a neutral ground on a date and venue to be determined," added a Premier League spokesman.
Chelsea, who are currently third and two points ahead of Arsenal, host Everton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, while the Gunners travel to Newcastle.
The teams who finish in the top three of the Premier League automatically qualify for next season's Champions League group stage. The fourth-placed club enters the competition's third qualifying round.
Any draw for the Blues, coupled with Arsenal scoring two more goals in a one-goal winning margin, would also leave the London rivals tied.
Premier League rules state: "If at the end of the season... the question of qualification for other competitions cannot be determined because two or more clubs are equal on points, goal difference and goals scored, the clubs concerned shall play off one or more deciding league matches on neutral grounds, the format, timing and venue of which shall be determined by the board."
But finding a date for the potential play-off could pose a problem with Chelsea set to travel to the United States next week.
The Blues are playing two end-of-season matches against Manchester City in St Louis and New York, while England also have friendlies on 29 May and 2 June against Republic of Ireland and Brazil.
The Premier League added they would "have to find a solution".

roydo · May 15, 2013

So the loser of the play-off final gets Europa League place then?

EFC Si · May 15, 2013

roydo said:
So the loser of the play-off final gets Europa League place then?

Could be resolved in a number of ways, that being one of them. The other being the highest league finish still, obviously not counting the winner of the playoffs.

I seriously think this would be so good

PaddyG · May 15, 2013

Would certainly be exciting

Jamo Martinez · May 15, 2013

Tubey said:
Agree. It would be a massive boost the Premier League and make the competition far more exciting.

However, it would mean one of the "big four" have a much bigger chance of missing out, and the powers-that-be simply won't let that happen, so it's a pipe dream that will never, ever happen.

It would also give the ''big clubs'' a safety net if they had an iffy season. So it might make sense even to them

bluejock · May 15, 2013

Just so's you know, if they'd done it this season, Liverpool would have spawned it badly.

johnnydawg68 · May 15, 2013

Tubey said:
Agree. It would be a massive boost the Premier League and make the competition far more exciting.

However, it would mean one of the "big four" have a much bigger chance of missing out, and the powers-that-be simply won't let that happen, so it's a pipe dream that will never, ever happen.

Not if the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool start missing out on a regular or semi-regular basis. That's why it's so important for other teams to sneak in there. They have to understand it's not a God-given right.

DanEFC92 · May 15, 2013

Sounds dreadful.

Huyton Layne · May 15, 2013

I don't like the idea of it tbh. I wouldn't want Everton to Finish 4th, 20 something points ahead of 7th and lose out on the Champions League spot because of some jarg US style playoff.