The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced the adoption of the “Swiss system” for European club competitions, increasing team participation from 32 to 36.

The Europe football administrative body disclosed this in a statement released on its website, stating that the new system will commence in the 2024/25 season.

The Swiss system will also see clubs play league phase instead of the conventional group stage, as the matches will be increased to 8 games per club.

READ ALSO: UEFA To FIFA: Two-Year World Cup Will Never Happen

Below is a summary of the new swiss system format, according to the UEFA statement;

“Taking the total number of teams from 32 to 36 in the UEFA Champions League, the biggest change will see a transformation from the traditional group stage to a single league phase including all participating teams.

“Every club will now be guaranteed a minimum of 8 league stage games against 8 different opponents (four home games, four away) rather than the previous six matches against three teams, played on a home-and-away basis.

“The top eight sides in the league will qualify automatically for the knockout stage, while the teams finishing in ninth to 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off to secure their path to the last 16 of the competition.

“Similar format changes will also be applied to the UEFA Europa League (8 matches in the league stage) and UEFA Europa Conference League (6 matches in the league stage) and both will also include 36 teams in the league phase.”

The President of UEFA, Aleksander Čeferin, speaking on the development, stated that the football body is fully committed to respecting the fundamental values of sport and to defending the key principle of open competitions

“We are convinced that the format chosen strikes the right balance and that it will improve the competitive balance and generate solid revenues that can be distributed to clubs, leagues, and into grassroots football across our continent while increasing the appeal and popularity of our club competitions,” Čeferin said.

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that an individual diagnosed with Monkeypox had a travel history from Nigeria.

The agency said the patient was admitted at the expert infectious disease unit of Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, where he was being treated.

The Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, UKHSA Dr. Colin Brown disclosed this in a statement on the agency’s website on Sunday.

The statement read, “UKHSA can confirm an individual has been diagnosed with monkeypox in England.

“The patient has recent travel history from Nigeria, which is where they are believed to have contracted the infection, before travelling to the UK.

“The patient is receiving care at the expert infectious disease unit at the Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London.”

Brown, however, said measures had been put in place to contain the spread of the disease in the country.

“As a precautionary measure, UKHSA experts are working closely with NHS colleagues and will be contacting people who might have been in close contact with the individual to provide information and health advice.

“This includes contacting a number of passengers who travelled in close proximity to the patient on the same flight to the UK.

“People without symptoms are not considered infectious, but, as a precaution, those who have been in close proximity are being contacted to ensure that if they do become unwell, they can be treated quickly.

“If passengers are not contacted, then there is no action they should take.“

Chelsea’s owner, Mr. Roman Abramovich has refuted media rumors of retaining the proceeds from the sale of his club.

This was disclosed in a statement on the club’s website, adding that he has no intentions of collecting the loan owed by the club.

The statement read; “Firstly, Mr. Abramovich’s intentions in relation to gifting the proceeds from the Chelsea sale to charity have not changed.

READ ALSO: UK Government Freezes Abramovich Assets, Suspends Sale Of Chelsea

“Since the initial announcement, Mr. Abramovich’s team has identified senior representatives from UN bodies and large global charitable organizations who have been tasked with forming a Foundation and setting out a plan for its activities.

“The lead independent expert has had conversations with Government representatives presenting the structure and initial plans.

“Mr. Abramovich has not been involved in this work and it has been managed independently by experts with years of experience working in humanitarian organizations.

Secondly, Mr. Abramovich has not asked for any loan to be repaid to him — such suggestions are entirely false, as are suggestions that Mr. Abramovich increased the price of the Club last minute.

“As part of Mr. Abramovich’s objective to find a good custodian for Chelsea FC, he has however encouraged each bidder throughout this process to commit to investing in the Club — including in the Academy, Women’s team, necessary redevelopment of the stadium as well as maintaining the work of Chelsea Foundation.”

The statement added that since the sanctions placed on Abramovich by the United Kingdom due to his country’s invasion of Ukraine, the loan has become the subject of topic.

“The funds will be frozen and subject to a legal procedure governed by authorities. These funds are still earmarked for the Foundation. The Government is aware of these restrictions as well as the legal implications.

“To be clear, Mr. Abramovich has no access or control of these funds and will not have any access or control of these funds following the sale.

“Despite the changing circumstances since his initial announcement — he remains committed to finding a good custodian for Chelsea FC and making sure the proceeds go to good causes.”