Glasgow clubs Rangers and Celtic, Portugal's Benfica and Porto, Anderlecht from Belgium and Dutch clubs Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord were all represented to discuss their dwindling influence in Europe.
"The position of clubs from Italy, Spain, England, Germany and France in the various international cup competitions is getting stronger and stronger with far-reaching consequences for clubs from 'smaller' football countries," Ajax said in a statement.
The clubs agreed to study how to ensure their positions did not weaken any further. The results of this study are expected in the middle of this year.
One possibility suggested earlier this year by PSV chairman Harry van Raaij was the formation of a 16-team European league with clubs from the Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland, Portugal and Greece. Van Raaij said he expected his own club to be playing in such a league by 2002, although he said the Champions League would remain Europe's premier club competition.
Reuters
