UEFA on Sunday formalized the creation of a third European Cup, in addition to the Champions League and Europa League, a competition of 32 clubs for small countries and launched in the season 2021-2022.
Accepted in principle at the beginning of September, the creation of a third European Club Cup has been formalized by UEFA in Dublin, even if, for the experts, this new competition responds more to political than economic considerations. This competition will be launched during the season 2021-2022.
Football is a bit like fashion, an eternal start. Because until 1999, a third club competition already existed, the European Cup Winners' Cup. The first edition in 1961 was won by Fiorentina, the last one going to another Italian club, Lazio Rome.
The winner of the new competition, played on Thursdays like the C3, will be qualified for the next edition of the Europa League, said the instance of European football, which brought together its Council in Dublin.