Central branding for UEFA Cup
The new-style UEFA Cup will feature a central branding concept when it is launched at the start of next season.
UEFA's Executive Committee heard at its meeting in Dublin on Monday that the central branding concept for the second major European club competition would apply for an initial period of two years. The competition will not be centrally marketed, unlike the prestigious UEFA Champions League.
From 2004/05, the UEFA Cup will feature a 40-team group stage after the first knockout round, with the teams drawn into eight groups of five teams each. From the group stage, 32 teams will then go through to the closing knockout stages. The new format was born after consultation between UEFA and Europe's major clubs amid a common desire to enhance the UEFA Cup's commercial and sporting appeal.
Source: Uefa.com
