European clubs group says UEFA is preparing 3rd competition

General view of the UEFA Europa League draw at the Grimaldi Forum, in Monaco, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

SPLIT, Croatia — European Club Association chairman Andrea Agnelli says UEFA is preparing to start a third club competition in 2021.

Agnelli says a total of 96 teams would be involved if UEFA adds to the Champions League and Europa League. He says the plan is “pending approval” of the UEFA executive committee.

Agnelli, who is also the chairman at Juventus, is a member of the UEFA executive committee, which will meet on Sept. 27 in Nyon, Switzerland.

Two weeks ago in Monaco, UEFA said “various ideas” were being reviewed within committees which include ECA delegates.

Back then, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said proposals were “just discussions.”

One option is to expand the Europa League, adding 16 teams to make a 64-team group stage. Another option is to create a 32-team competition alongside a 32-team Europa League.