Top clubs oppose Platini's reform

Europe's most powerful clubs will not back UEFA president Michel Platini's plan to give domestic cup winners a place in the Champions League, the G14's general manager Thomas Kurth said.

Following a meeting of the general assembly of the G14, Kurth said the majority of those present did not agree with the plans proposed by European soccer's top official.

"We are opposed to giving the cup winners a place in the Champions League. We don't see why cup winners should play in this competition," Kurth said.

"We are very concerned about the quality of the competition and the damage this could cause."

Platini's proposals would give 16 cup winners a separate qualifying route into the Champions League and an allocation of four automatic places in the lucrative group stages.

The proposed shake-up was discussed by UEFA's Professional Football Strategy Council last month but after some opposition from the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), Platini deferred the final vote by UEFA's executive by one month.

The EPFL, which represents leagues such as the English Premier League, Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A, was given until the end of October to come up with alternative proposals.