The Coppa Italia might be taken more seriously if UEFA President Michel Platini’s plan to grant domestic Cup winners a place in the Champions League is approved.

The Juve legend revealed his wishes to members of the executive committee last week and the proposal will be discussed in August before a final decision is taken at a meeting in Istanbul in September.

“The President is keen to include Cup winners in the Champions League - it boosts national associations and also helps Cup competitions in those countries where it has diminished in importance,” said a UEFA source.

The change of reserving a place in Europe’s most prestigious competition for domestic Cup winners has been much sought after by several national federations.

The popularity of some domestic Cups has sharply dropped in many countries and clubs regularly field weaker line-ups, preferring to focus on the championship.

Platini had also thought of cutting the number of Champions League places for those countries who had four spots – including Italy.

However, he is now focussing on a new play-off system at the end of the season which would determine the final places.

UEFA’s new European season starts officially on Friday with the draws for the first and second qualifying rounds of the Champions League and the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup in Nyon.

channel4

This is bullsh!t...

As I said before. UEFA change the rules to make sure their more promotable teams make it their. That's why they changed it from just the champions entering to the top 4 in some countries!

It's not fair on the more 'average' teams, who in some cups, like England's League Cip, go out to win it. Now they'll have United and Chelsea to contend with.

Why should anyone care about the Cup anyway? Why should teams fight on all three frontiers!??