Premier League considers play-offs for fourth spot

The Premier League could introduce play-offs to decide who gets the final Champions League berth, which currently goes to the team that finishes fourth in the table, in a bid to break the monopoly of the so-called 'Big Four'.

The same teams - Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool - have finished in the Champions League spots in each of the last four seasons, but the play-off idea would mean that the teams that come fifth, sixth and seventh would also be in with a chance of qualification.

This season has seen the tightest race for fourth spot in years. Liverpool currently lie in fourth, but they are under pressure from the likes of Spurs, Manchester City and Aston Villa. Those clubs and the likes of Everton, Birmingham and even Fulham would see themselves as candidates for the Champions League if a play-off was introduced.

According to the Guardian the proposal was discussed at the most recent meeting of all clubs, on 4 February, and the Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, will present further details at another in April. Perhaps unsurpsringly the 'Big Four' clubs are said to be against the idea, while the rest of the league is in favour.

The problem of how to make the Premier League more competitive has long vexed its administrators and the dominance of the Big Four has almost become a Catch 22 situation: by qualifying for the Champions League the clubs get more money and are able to strengthen their position in the league.

The feeling is that a play-off would not only spur on the lesser teams but would end up redistrubuting Champions League money to other clubs.

The Guardian notes that the idea has surfaced as deeply controversial plans for an international round of matches, dubbed Game 39, have fallen by the wayside. The play-off matches would also generate more income for the league through TV rights.

However, there are concerns about how and when the games would be scheduled and the wisdom of placing such emphasis on finishing in a position as unglamorous as fourth in the table.

Opponents also feel that there are better ways of addressing the fundamental lack of competitiveness in the league than an end of season shoot-out. ·