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UEFA confirm Premier League top four WILL qualify directly into Champions League group stages with new format to be implemented for 2018-19 season

The top four in the Premier League will gain direct passage into the Champions League group stages, UEFA has confirmed.

The changes are set to be introduced for the start of the 2018-19 competition, which will also see the top four teams in Spain, Italy and Germany skip the qualifying rounds.

Previously of course, the fourth-placed team in these leagues would have to negotiate their way through a two-legged qualifier before gaining access into the group phases.

The Premier League top four will gain automatic places in the Champions League group stages
The Premier League top four will gain automatic places in the Champions League group stages

UEFA officially announced the changes to the structures of both the Champions League and Europa League in 2016, which have now been explained on its official website.