Sun May 04 18:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Wenger Slams Europa League Champions League Qualification Rule

**London, UK** – Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has criticized UEFA’s rule allowing the Europa League winner automatic qualification for the Champions League. Wenger, speaking to BeIN Sports, argued that the victor should instead gain automatic entry into the following year’s Europa League, especially given the Premier League’s existing five Champions League qualifying spots.

While acknowledging the argument that offering Champions League qualification incentivizes participation in the Europa League, Wenger believes the current system needs review. He points to the example of Manchester United, who qualified for the Champions League in 2018-19 after winning the Europa League despite finishing sixth in the Premier League. This highlights the rule’s potential to distort domestic league standings. Although no team finishing lower than 12th in the league has won the Europa League since its rebranding, Wenger’s concerns center on the overall fairness and balance of the competition.

Wenger, who left Arsenal in 2018 and now serves as FIFA’s head of global football development, has a history of advocating for football reform, previously proposing changes to the offside rule and the World Cup format. His latest critique focuses on the potential negative impact of the current Europa League qualification system on the integrity of domestic leagues. With Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur currently vying for the Europa League title, the debate surrounding this rule is expected to intensify.

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