UEFA have bowed to pressure from Europe's leading clubs to restructure their competitions in an attempt to avert the formation of a European Super League. The executive committee of European football's governing body last night agreed to merge the Cup Winners' Cup with the UEFA Cup and to enlarge the Champions' League to 32 teams from 24 from the 2000/01 season.

The details of the new formats and the crucial financial rewards for teams will be officially announced at the next executive committee meeting on December 10th/11th in Jerusalem.

But it is expected that England could have three teams in the Champions' League. The Premiership winners and runners-up will be involved automatically, with the third placed side having to qualify.

There will also be places available for the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish league champions in what are expected to be eight initial groups of four teams.

UEFA have been under pressure to make the expected changes since the threat of a breakaway European Super League emerged. Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool and other major European clubs admitted they had held discussions with Media Partners International about the proposed league, which promised huge payouts from TV revenues for the clubs taking part.

UEFA's new proposal is believed to offer between £275 million and £370 million in total revenue with the winners pocketing between £27.5 million and £37 million. That is less than the Super League was offering, but doubts had been raised about Media Partners' ability to raise the finance.