Inter CEO eyes radical change to Champions League format

Inter CEO Michael Bolingbroke would welcome the introduction of Champions League wildcards, meaning league position would not be the only factor in qualifying for the competition. With the likes of AC Milan and Chelsea unlikely to qualify for the Champions League next season, Bolingbroke believes Uefa need the likes of them and Inter competing every year.

“There are clubs who have not qualified for the competition they think they need to,” Bolingbroke told BBC Sport. “Many of these clubs have huge fan bases. That drives Uefa and drives revenues.
“The conversations we have had with Uefa indicate to me that they fully understand what the concerns are and are going to address them.”
Inter have not qualified for the Champions League since 2012 and Bolingbroke also wants to alter kick-offs time to suit their Asian audience.
“When we broadcast matches at 20:45 it is the middle of the night in Asia, so we miss 75% of our fan base,” Bolingbroke added.
“Decisions like that need to be discussed by Serie A and the Champions League. People want to see matches live.
“That is the excitement of football. It is not much good when the game is shown at 03:00.”
Inter have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season as they are currently in fifth place in Serie A, five points behind third place Roma.