It appears that next season’s Champions League will have room for yet another Premier League team that, by all standards, doesn’t deserve it. Anyone who’s watched Manchester United and Tottenham this season in the English Premier League has wasted time, energy, and nerves — and seen almost nothing of value. Yet the rules are such that one of these teams will likely get a chance to break into Europe’s elite competition. This is all thanks to UEFA’s rule that awards a Champions League spot to the Europa League winner. And since the Red Devils and Spurs both convincingly won their first-leg semifinal matches — against Athletic Bilbao (3–0) and Bodo/Glimt (3–1) respectively — they are expected to face off in the final on May 21 at San Mames. Still, not everyone agrees that either team deserves a spot among the cream of continental football come September.Wenger defends Manchester City over FFP?That’s the opinion of Arsene Wenger, who was direct when asked if it’s fair for the winner of Europe’s second-tier competition to earn a Champions League place:“No! The Europa League winner should automatically qualify again for the Europa League, not necessarily for the Champions League. Especially if you’re in the Premier League, which already sends five clubs to the Champions League. That’s a topic UEFA needs to re-evaluate. On the other hand, people will say the winner needs an incentive, like a Champions League spot, to keep the Europa League exciting and ensure clubs remain motivated to compete,” explained the legendary former Arsenal manager, now head of FIFA’s Football Development division.Wenger on football changes: ’I’m ready to take the gamble’This is just one of Wenger’s many ideas. He’s previously proposed holding the World Cup every two years, and he’s also the mind behind proposed changes to the offside rule. Meanwhile, Manchester United currently sit 15th and Tottenham 16th in the Premier League standings. Since UEFA revamped the Europa League format, no finalist has come from a club finishing lower than 12th in their domestic league.##NAJAVA_MECA_8900966##
