Play-offs plan for Euro place

Currently the teams finishing in the top four positions are handed entry to Europe's elite competition, either in the main draw or at the qualifying stage.

Now it has been proposed that only the first three be decided on league position and the fourth place be determined by a play-off.

That could mean the teams finishing in the positions fourth to seventh playing a mini-knockout competition.

The same four clubs – Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea – have filled the top four positions in five of the past six seasons. Only Everton, in 2005, have broken the top-four stranglehold.