UEFA face an £18MILLION legal claim after being accused of stealing its new Champions League format.
Euro chiefs introduced the “Swiss model” league phase last season.
Sign up for the newsletter
Thank you!
Uefa face being sued for E18m over claims they stole their new European formatCredit: Getty
The system, which sees all 36 teams playing eight matches in a single league table, replaced the previous group phase involving 32 sides playing in four-team pools.
But a Chilean sports consultancy has launched legal action against Uefa.
It alleges it proposed the concept to them more than a decade ago.
MatchVision are headed by Leandro Shara.
It claims the model was offered to Uefa in a presentation given by the company chief executive in 2013.
Shara says he trademarked the concept in 2006.
And he accused Uefa of a breach of his intellectual property.
He said: “I am the creator of the format.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
“And FIFA has recognised its intellectual property rights and the algorithm that develops it.”
“I am not seeking my fortune.
“Only that my rights, investment, knowledge of the format be recognised.
“And that I reap what I have sown and watered.”
Uefa, who have three weeks to respond to the legal threat, declined to comment.
