UEFA has said that up to five Premier League teams could qualify for next season’s Champions League.
The top four clubs at the end of the season are usually sure candidates for Europe’s elite competition, but they could now be joined by the Europa League winner.
Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are the two English representatives in the Europa League and there were suggestions that the automatic places from England could be reduced to three, if either team won.
A UEFA statement read: “The Europa League winners could gain direct access to the group stage, should the Champions League title-holders also qualify via their domestic league, thus freeing up a place in the Champions League group stage.”
In 2005, Everton finished fourth in the league, but Merseyside rivals Liverpool, who finished outside the top four, were allowed into the competition after they won the competition.
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