NEIL DONCASTER, chief executive of the SPFL, has attacked plans to create a new version of the Champions League geared towards guaranteeing entry to major European clubs regardless of league position.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the influential European Club Association, gave an interview to a German newspaper last month in which he stated that he would not rule out a new competition being introduced which would involve the leading sides from England, Italy, Spain, France and Germany.
His vice-chairman at the ECA, Umberto Gandini, then confirmed earlier this week that a review process of the Champions League has started with European football's governing body, UEFA, to consider "which improvements we can bring to have the most attractive football product."
This has raised concerns that clubs from less glamorous nations will be excluded from club football's top table and there would be clear ramifications for Scottish football should such changes come into effect.
Peter Lawwell, the Celtic chief executive, is a member of the ECA executive board and will be expected to defend Scotland's interests in future meetings.
"I think this is a very sinister development," said Doncaster.
"What we're seeing, quite worryingly, is that there are moves within the movers and shakers of European football to try to re-shape the Champions League, potentially remove the Champion's Route and make it harder, perhaps impossible, for the champion clubs of smaller nations to participate.
"The likes of Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Ajax and Porto are huge brand names, huge clubs with great histories and great global fan bases.
"There's the possibility that some may try and limit or remove their access to the Champions League.
"I think, for football fans around the world, we should be very concerned about this and do what we can to ensure that the biggest clubs from all leagues retain that access to the Champions League. We must do what we can to ensure we don't let the very biggest clubs in the biggest nations bully the rest of European football."
Doncaster concedes that the financial gulf that exists between the Ladbrokes Premiership and the likes of the Barclays Premier League and the Bundesliga is unlikely to reduce in future years, but he insists history proves that so-called smaller clubs can still make a major contribution to the Champions League.
"The financial disparity is huge," said Doncaster in an interview with Radio 5 Live. "It's always going to be very difficult for the bigger clubs in smaller nations to compete on the same playing field with the bigger clubs in the biggest nations, but let's remember it's only a couple of years ago that Celtic were beating Barcelona at Celtic Park.
"What's important is that clubs are given the opportunity to have a go. In a one-off game, anything can happen.
"What's vital for the health of the European game is that we protect that Champions Route."
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