Fans have reacted angrily to plans by Europe’s football governing body, UEFA, to determine league placings in all European domestic leagues using the “coeffecient” system, should they be unable to finish the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
UEFA has continued to discuss options to conclude the league seasons, with “a variety of calendar options” being assessed but this week appeared to back-track on their position on domestic leagues voiding their seasons. The governing body had initially threatened those who did – like the Belgian league – with a ban from European competition.
English Premier League fans were some of the most vocal in reaction to news that the coefficient system could be used to decide that league, with 92 games still to be played. It is also believed that UEFA could use coefficient scores to decide who competes in both the Champions League and Europa League next season.
Arsenal (91.000), who currently sit ninth in the Premier League would benefit most in the EPL, ending with have the fourth-best coefficient in England behind Manchester City (112.000), Liverpool (99.000) and Manchester United (92.000).
Tottenham (85.000), who are eighth in the league, sit fifth and Chelsea (83.000), who are fourth, are sixth. Leicester City (22.000), third in the league, are a distant seventh, using the coefficient system. They would have to settle for the Europa League.
However, should City’s two-year Champions League ban be upheld, then Spurs would take the final Champions League spot.
