AFC Champions League 'unsustainable'

HONG KONG, Feb 19 (AFP): The current Asian Champions League is "unsustainable", the global footballers' union FIFPRO said in a report Monday, accusing the regional governing body of failing to listen to players and clubs.
The continent's top club competition is in the spotlight like never before after Saudi teams shelled out on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema.
The round of 16 began on Tuesday last week, three days after the final of the Asian Cup, which was won by hosts Qatar.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is responsible for both competitions, which span a vast area from Australia to the Middle East and Central Asia.
The current Champions League is split into two zones, "West" and "East", until a two-legged final home and away.
Starting in the next campaign, there will also be a geogaphical split at the start of the tournament, but the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be held in Saudi Arabia.
FIFPRO said this remodelled version, which will see the winner take home an increased cheque of $12 million, was also unsustainable.
Takuya Yamazaki, FIFPRO's chairman for Oceania-Asia, hopes its report will "spark meaningful discussions with governing bodies, leagues, clubs and fans" about the Champions League.