Barcelona president supports plan to guarantee big clubs Champions League qualification

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has backed plans to introduce a 'wild card' system for Champions League qualification to ensure big clubs qualify for the tournament.

The proposed changes would see Uefa given the opportunity to invite teams who did not qualify for the tournament to compete anyway - a similar system to those used in major tennis tournaments. Banned Uefa president Michel Platini had made efforts during his tenure to increase the participation of clubs from smaller nations, but his suspension could give opponents a chance to push through their new proposal. https://twitter.com/kev_shaddick/status/698539909141942272 Speaking to the BBC ahead of Barca's last-16 tie against Arsenal on Tuesday night, Bartomeu said: "For the interest of the football, it could be that a wildcard be given to a football club. That is not my decision of course, it is a decision for Uefa, but why not? "Sometimes, if you have a bad season, it is a very big punishment for a club not to play in the Champions League that year." The suggested change is likely to upset fans of every background, besides those rooting for a seemingly inevitable European Super League. Oh, and also Manchester United fans.