March 4th, 2010 by Adam Davies

After careful consideration, Barclays Premier League clubs have voted against the introduction of a playoff system to decide the recipient of England’s fourth Champions League spot. It is thought that the prospect of additional games in an already congested fixture list played its part. Under Premier League rules, fourteen clubs must agree to any new rule changes, and with the ‘Big Four’ clubs – Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool – allegedly opposing the idea, just three of the remaining clubs had to concur for the idea to be rejected.

This season has been more open than any in recent memory when it comes to both the title race and European slots, and this may also have been a factor in the collective decision. Clubs such as Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur have shown encouraging signs of genuine improvement, and so the prospect of being able to compete on a regular basis for the fourth spot without changing the league format may have influenced their decision.

As it is, the Barclays Premier League is arguably the most entertaining league in the world, and with more goals than at the same stage of competition last year, it is in rude health indeed.

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