Uefa faces backlash

Europe's biggest clubs will on Friday oppose Uefa proposals to change the format of the Champions League.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are among 14 elite clubs from Europe who are against the scrapping of the second group phase of the tournament from next season.

The clubs claim they were not consulted about the planned changes which are meant to make the Champions League more exciting.

Champions League group-by-group

Uefa plan to axe the second round-robin phase from 2003-04 and revert back to a traditional two-leg knockout format.

The changes mean the following format will be introduced the season after next:

Eight groups of four will compete in phase one of the new-look competition.

There will then be a two-leg knockout system for the last 16, the quarter-finals and the semi-finals.

To reach the final, a team will play 12 games instead of 16.

The changes will be debated at the annual assembly of the G14 grouping of Europe's most powerful clubs in Monaco on Friday.

Should group stage be axed? Have your say

Arsenal's David Dein does not want change

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said there would be some fierce words exchanged and said: "We are not at all happy with the process - it's just not democracy.

"The feeling is very strong among many of the major clubs bearing in mind that when we met in February the unanimous decision was to leave things as they are."

He was supported by Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, who said: "I don't believe Uefa has made this decision by the seat of their pants but English clubs are opposed to it and we've made that clear."