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A consultant has threatened to sue UEFA for their new football league system
He claims he invented the new format being used in the Champions League
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Published: 07:13 EDT, 29 August 2024 | Updated: 14:10 EDT, 29 August 2024

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UEFA have reportedly been threatened with a 'cease and desist notice' by Chilean sports consultant, Leandro Shara, over the 'unauthorised and unfair use' of the new 36-team 'league phase' format that is due to be implemented in European tournaments this season.

According to a report from The Athletic, Mr Shara claims UEFA have used the system which he claims to have copyrighted in Chile in 2006 and has written to the European body over their use of the format, arguing it should be called the 'Leandro Shara System'.

In a statement issued to Mail Sport, UEFA described the claims made by Mr Shara as 'baseless' and 'just another entry on a list of similar actions'.

The introduction of the new format is set to be the biggest shake-up to European football in some time, with the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League all selected to be revamped for the 2024-25 season.

Known as the 'Swiss Model', UEFA have opted to replace the traditional group-stage formats with a league-format, that will see teams face off against eight different opponents, playing four matches at home and four away.

UEFA and it's president Aleksander Ceferin have reportedly been threatened with a 'cease and desist notice'

Chilean sports consultant Leandro Shara has threatened legal action for the 'unfair use' of the new Champions League format - which he claims he invented

The new league phase format will be implemented for the 2024-25 season and will see replace the old group-stage format

The draw for the Champions League is set to take place on Thursday evening in Monaco and because the format is so complex, most of it will be carried out via an automated system, with UEFA set to use artificial intelligence to determine which team each club will be drawn against.

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This is mostly due to the system preventing clubs from being drawn against teams from their own country.

UEFA will adopt a slightly different format though to the 'Swiss' system which will not involve a new draw after each round of matches.

According to The Athletic, Shara claims he invented the the system being implemented by UEFA. He told the outlet that he 'copyrighted the format in Chile in 2006' adding that he had 'presented the format to UEFA over a dozen times since 2013'.

The outlet states that Shara had 'sent a cease and desist notice to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and secretary general Theodore Theodoridis' on Monday and had requested a response by August 28 to comply with several requests.

Mr Shara told The Athletic that he had 'copyrighted the format in 2006' and had sent cease and desist notices to UEFA

UEFA have since issued a statement to Mail Sport on the claims, writing: 'The claims made by MatchVision are baseless at best'

The report adds the consultant has asked UEFA to announce that the format belonged to him 'during the draw and at all upcoming publications.'

Welcome to the NEW Champions League: All you need to know about 36-team 'Swiss Model' format

He had also asked for himself and colleagues from MatchVision to be invited to the draw and that UEFA's commercial partners 'respect MatchVision's ownership of the format'.

Shara also requested UEFA establish a commercial partnership with MatchVision for the use of the format before the commencement of the league phase.

UEFA have since issued a statement to Mail Sport on the claims, writing: 'The claims made by MatchVision are baseless at best and are just another entry on a list of similar actions.

'UEFA will defend it's position, though it is hardly worth the effort.'

The new system will see teams play an additional 64 extra matches during the course of the 2024-25 European football season

There were 32 teams in eight groups last season, but there will now be one big 36-team league

Shara has warned that if UEFA fails 'to perform the above actions a lawsuit may be commenced against the body.'

Under the new format, the number of Champions League matches being played this season will increase from 125 to 189 - an additional 64 extra games.

That in turn is due to create more revenue and will give smaller clubs the chance to earn more prize money.

Following the completion of the league stage, eight teams will advance through to the round of 16 automatically, with sides finishing from ninth to 24th will contest the knockout phase play-offs over two legs for a spot in the next round.

Those teams finishing 25th to 26th will be eliminated from all competitions - with Champions League sides no longer able to join the Europa League following their exit.

Champions League Wigan Athletic