(adds details, byline)
By Mark Ledsom
LUCERNE, Switzerland, Nov 30 - The Champions League final
will be moved from its traditional midweek slot and instead be
held on Saturday evenings, UEFA announced on Friday.
The move was confirmed following a meeting of UEFA's
executive committee in Lucerne and will come into effect from
the 2009 season.
The committee also approved proposals by UEFA president
Michel Platini to guarantee a greater share of places in the
main competition to countries from outside the top-ranking
nations.
The new plans will see the qualifying competition split into
two sections, with 15 teams from the leading countries vying for
five places, and league champions from the remaining 40 UEFA
members competing for another five spots.
Twenty-two teams will qualify automatically for the
Champions League based on their league standings.
As previously reported by Reuters, Platini has agreed to
shelve his plans to involve domestic cup winners in the
competition.
"I believe in that idea but I believe it came too early,"
said Platini, adding that a working group would be set up to
examine the possible inclusion of cup winners in future versions
of the competition.
(Editing by Miles Evans)