UEFA confirm Europa League winners will qualify for Champions League

UEFA have confirmed that future winners of the Europa League will be gifted a spot in the following Champions League campaign.

The proposal, which was reported yesterday, will come into effect in the 2015-16 season following today's announcement during the UEFA Congress in London.

The general secretary of the governing body Gianni Infantino told Sky Sports News yesterday that he believes the new system will prove to be an extra "incentive" for clubs in the second tier of European competition.

The new rule means that there could potentially be five Premier League teams in the elite tournament, as opposed to the current system, which allows clubs that finish in the top four spots of the table to compete for the trophy.

West London outfit Chelsea were crowned Europa League winners this season following their Champions League exit in the group stage.