Europa League winners to get Champions League place

PanARMENIAN.Net - UEFA is set to award a place in the Champions League to the winners of the Europa League from the 2014-15 season, in order to make that competition more attractive, with an announcement expected on Friday, May 24, The Guardian reported.

Other plans under consideration include whether to award a fifth Champions League place to clubs in the big European leagues and to expand the number of Europa League places on offer.

The European governing body has also confirmed that any player or official disciplined for racism in one of its competitions will receive a minimum 10-match ban. The FA announced last week that it would bring in a minimum five-match ban for racism on the field of play, although it stressed that it was a "floor" and punishments could be much higher.

UEFA, which has been under pressure to take a tougher line on racism in the wake of a string of contentious incidents, said discriminatory behavior by players or officials would attract a minimum 10-match ban. Racism in the stands will lead to a partial stadium closure for a first offence followed by a full stadium closure for repeat offenders.