FIFA secretary general Michel Zen-Ruffinen launched a scathing attack on the new formula European Champions League yesterday "It is a fiasco," said Zen-Ruffen who claims that UEFA's decision to expand the Champions League to 32 teams instead of last season's 24 is harming football.

He added that there was also too much television coverage. "The saturation of matches on television has only diluted interest in an extraordinary competition and as a consequence the UEFA Cup does not interest anyone."

Zen-Ruffen said he would discuss the problem with UEFA general secretary Gehrard Aigner this week when the two meet to consider FIFA's plans to harmonise the world football programme.