Some smaller nations have already fared well under Platini's rule with Andorra, San Marino and Montenegro were all handed Champions League places for next season.

It was a great day for Montenegro who had earlier in the day been handed full UEFA membership from July 1 this year following their split with Serbia in 2006.
  
Of the proposed changes, Platini said, "The new format of the Champions League is for 2009. I talked about finding a better equilibrium for the number of clubs and that's for 2009/10.
  
"The final decision will be (by UEFA's executive committee) in  April so we have a few months still to see which way we will go, but  I would like a better equilibrium, it is very close to my heart."
  
Meanwhile, the G14 group comprising 18 of Europe's richest clubs, were upbeat following the election of Platini to the post after 17 years of Johansson's tenure.
  
Since the 1992/93 season, the European Champions League has generated more than $6.45 billion with $819 million going to national federations and leagues.

Some not so happy
  
However, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said Platini should not tinker with the Champions League.

"The tournament really starts in February, but I think it is OK the way it is at the moment. The appeal of the Champions League is when the giants of Spain or Italy or England come up against each other,” he said.
  
"If he wants to take a Champions League place away from us that is to the detriment of the Premiership.
  
"The Champions League has been good. If you go back a few years, there were maybe too many games with two qualifying groups because you had to play about 17 games to win it.
  
"If you take away the fourth-place teams, the only way to address that is by reducing the competition or by giving other countries two places."
  
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce said he felt his team could be one of the victims of Platini's proposals.
  
"In one way it is nice to see a football man in charge," he said.

"But on the other hand if he wants to take a Champions League place away from us that is to the detriment of the Premiership.
  
"If he can get away with that it is going to bring a lot of heartache to our league. It would be a big blow."