- NextGen series
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NextGen series 
Founded 2011 Region UEFA (Europe) Number of teams 16 (group stage)
8 (knockout)Television broadcasters TBA Website Official website 
2011–12 NextGen seriesThe NextGen Series is a European football club cup competition for under-19 footballers. It is similar in form to the UEFA Champions League and will provide a competition for youth players an opportunity to play other young European footballers.
The competition was created by Brentford sporting director Mark Warburton.[1]
Contents
Background
Plans to create a European competition for youth footballers have long been touted. Ajax and Manchester City played a behind closed doors match in November 2010 as did Liverpool and Celtic. This was part of a trial scheme for the new competition.[2]
The goal of the tournament is to help clubs replicate the Champions League experience for younger players. Celtic youth coach, Chris McCart said;[3]
“ Our purpose is to try and develop a Champions League player and it will expose them to that and replicate what that’s like at first-team level. We are confident the players will gain experience which will be vital to them in terms of the style of play and the travelling. We can also offer players the opportunity of playing against the likes of Barcelona and Man City on the big stage and in stadia. ” Format
Teams were picked for the first season of the tournament through invitation. The organisers picked the 16 clubs who they considered to have the best academies in Europe.[4] More teams are likely to be involved in future tournaments as the competition expands. The organisers hope to involve 24 clubs in the 2012–13 season.[3]
Qualification
The clubs picked for the first season are:[4]
Celtic
Barcelona
FC Basel
Fenerbahçe
Tournament
For the 2011–12 tournament the 16 teams are split into four groups of four, playing each other home and away. The top two teams from each group go through to a knockout stage. There is a possibility that this stage will be played in Abu Dhabi.[1] It has not been revealed if the knockout stage will consist of two matches per round, as in the Champions League or a single match.
Rules
Teams participating in the NextGen series are limited to a squad size of no more than eighteen members. Their is an age limit of 18 on players players participating in the competition. However, each club has the option of having three players who are one year older than this, although only a maximum of two of them are allowed to be on the pitch at any one time.[5]
Match rules for the series, other than the age cap, are the same as those stipulated by the International Football Association Board, meaning that they are identical to those of most other international tournaments.[5]
See also
References
- ^ a b Jones, Simon. "Young Villa face Ajax, Man City tackle Barcelona, Spurs take on Inter and Liverpool play Sporting in Euro League". The Daily Mail Online. Associated Newspapers Ltd. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2010047/Spurs-Villa-Man-City-Liverpool-mini-Champions-League-fixtures.html. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ^ "City help to pioneer junior Champions League". Manchester Evening News. 7 December 2010. http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1388281_city_help_to_pioneer_junior_champions_league?order=liked#comments. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Q&A: You lowdown on the NextGen Series for the best kids in European football". Daily Mail. 22 June 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2006964/Q-A-NextGen-Series.html. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
- ^ a b http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2006488/Champions-League-style-tournament-launched-Under-19s.html
- ^ a b "Terms & Conditions". The NextGen Series. http://www.nextgenseries.com/Terms-and-Conditions. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
External links
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