Arsene Wenger calls for huge Europa League rule change that would see Manchester United and Tottenham impacted
Arsene Wenger believes that Manchester United and Tottenham should not be able to qualify for the Champions League.
Ahead of the second legs of this season's semi-finals on Thursday, Wenger called for a major change to Europa League rules.
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Man United and Tottenham both hold healthy leads from their opening matches against Athletic Bilbao and Bodo/Glimt, respectively.
And it has them on the brink of meeting each other in the final, as they both look to save their seasons.
The Europa League winners currently earn a direct spot in the following campaign's Champions League.
UEFA have handed out the qualification place every season since 2014.
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However, Wenger believes the winners should instead qualify for the next season's Europa League and not UEFA's top-tier.
The former Arsenal boss : "They should qualify automatically for the Europa League but not necessarily for the Champions League.
"Especially when you're in the Premier League where already five teams qualify.
"I think it's something [for UEFA] to think about and to review.
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"On the other hand, people will tell you that to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivated, you need to give them that prize [Champions League]."
A team has yet to reach the Europa League final whilst finishing lower than 12th in their domestic league since the competition was rebranded for the 2009/10 season.
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Sevilla finished 12th in La Liga in 2022/23 on their way to lifting the trophy for a record-extending seventh time.
Meanwhile, Fulham ended the 2009/10 season in the same spot before suffering a defeat to Atletico Madrid in the final.
United previously benefited from the rule after winning the Europa League in 2017.
The Red Devils qualified for the following season's Champions League as a result, despite finishing sixth in the Premier League.
Both Spurs and United are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League.
With three matches remaining, Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou's sides are 15th and 16th, respectively.
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Neither side can finish any higher than 12th in the table this season.
The Europa League semi-final second legs are scheduled to take place on Thursday.
Both of them will be live across the talkSPORT network.
Coverage of Man United vs Athletic Bilbao will be on talkSPORT with commentary coming from Jim Proudfoot and Stuart Pearce.
And at the same time, coverage of Bodo/Glimt vs Spurs will be on talkSPORT 2 will commentary from Alex Crook and Dean Ashton.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
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