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The Premier League could be ready to introduce a play-off for the fourth UEFA Champions League berth.
At present, the leading four clubs in England's elite division are handed a place at Europe's top table, either in the main draw of through the qualifying stages.
A proposal is believed to have been raised at a meeting of the 20 Premier League clubs which would see the top three progressing, with the teams finishing fourth to seventh then meeting to determine who would take the fourth spot.
Such a move could inject more competition into the league as the same quartet - Liverpool, Manchester United,
Arsenal and Chelsea - have filled the top four positions in five of the past six seasons.
Only Everton, in 2005, have broken their stranglehold, although the race for fourth this term is currently a tight affair with Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa all in contention.
The Premier League have not commented directly on the matter, and any rule change would not come into effect until next season at the earliest.
Ideas
A spokesman said: "We look at all sorts of ideas and rarely make comment until we have decided something definitely."
If the proposal was to be voted on at any stage in the future, a 14-6 majority could be enough to see it implemented.
The idea may not be favoured by the established 'big four', who would obviously have the most to lose, but the idea is thought to have been enthusiastically greeted by some clubs.
There are other factors which would have to be considered, however, such as how the play-offs might lengthen the season and how they could be fitted into the calendar. Determining Europa League qualification is an added complication.
A satisfactory format would also have to be devised. Some might argue a Football League-style home and away play-off might not be appropriate to settle what is basically fourth place.
One spin-off effect could be that the matches fill the void left by the failure of the 'Game 39' proposal, and they would certainly generate television interest.
But again, it would have to be decided if that was the best route to take.
At present, the leading four clubs in England's elite division are handed a place at Europe's top table, either in the main draw of through the qualifying stages.
A proposal is believed to have been raised at a meeting of the 20 Premier League clubs which would see the top three progressing, with the teams finishing fourth to seventh then meeting to determine who would take the fourth spot.
Such a move could inject more competition into the league as the same quartet - Liverpool, Manchester United,
Arsenal and Chelsea - have filled the top four positions in five of the past six seasons. Only Everton, in 2005, have broken their stranglehold, although the race for fourth this term is currently a tight affair with Manchester City,
Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa all in contention.The Premier League have not commented directly on the matter, and any rule change would not come into effect until next season at the earliest.
Ideas
A spokesman said: "We look at all sorts of ideas and rarely make comment until we have decided something definitely."
If the proposal was to be voted on at any stage in the future, a 14-6 majority could be enough to see it implemented.
The idea may not be favoured by the established 'big four', who would obviously have the most to lose, but the idea is thought to have been enthusiastically greeted by some clubs.
There are other factors which would have to be considered, however, such as how the play-offs might lengthen the season and how they could be fitted into the calendar. Determining Europa League qualification is an added complication.
A satisfactory format would also have to be devised. Some might argue a Football League-style home and away play-off might not be appropriate to settle what is basically fourth place.
One spin-off effect could be that the matches fill the void left by the failure of the 'Game 39' proposal, and they would certainly generate television interest.
But again, it would have to be decided if that was the best route to take.
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