Arsenal could clinch amazing Champions League spot

Arsenal could be handed an astonishing backdoor route into next season’s Champions League – despite standing ninth in the Prem table.

But if it proves impossible to complete domestic seasons amid the continuing coronavirus crisis, Euro chiefs have been urged to order associations to use Uefa coefficient scores to decide which teams play in respective competitions next term.

The ludicrous idea would see Arsenal joining Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United in England’s “top four”, with Spurs, Chelsea and Leicester in the Europa League – and Sheffield United and Wolves missing out altogether.

But Spurs would then take City’s place in the Champions League if the reigning Prem champs’ two-year Euro ban is upheld.

Meanwhile, Premier League clubs are readying their lawyers to fight Uefa’s latest crazy idea.

European football chiefs will consider using coefficient rankings to decide who plays in the Champions League and Europa League next term — if domestic leagues cannot be finished.

Uefa ordering the FA to ignore the Prem table when Wembley puts forward the clubs to take part in next season’s European competitions seems ridiculous.

Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin is understood not to be in favour, arguing that the “integrity of competitions” must be paramount and urging this season’s performances to be decisive.

Yet, bonkers as it may appear, that was one of the ideas booted round – and not off – the virtual boardroom table yesterday.

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A genuine proposal, that will be discussed by the influential European Clubs Association and Uefa today and then by European football’s ruling executive committee tomorrow.