European football leaders have discussed the possibility of creating a third club competition.

At a meeting of the 54 UEFA members on Wednesday, they explored the merits of a new competition for teams that fail to advance from the qualifying rounds for the second-tier Europa League.

The discussions are at an early phase, and any changes to the club competition structure in Europe would not be introduced until at least 2018, when the current round of TV rights deals expire.

Volodymyr Geninson, executive director at the Football Federation of Ukraine, told The Associated Press: "It will give more opportunity to the clubs who never get in the final stages to participate" in Europe.

The Ukrainians support the idea, and Geninson said "it's more for participation than making money."