European football's governing body had previously stated that it would prefer the Old Firm to stay in Scotland.

But on the day after the Champions League final in Glasgow, Uefa chief executive Gerhard Aigner said that a move to play in England was impossible.

Aigner sat beside Rangers chairman David Murray at Wednesday's final, but he said very little mention was made of the Old Firm's desire to move out of Scotland, as the matter had been discussed on several occasions previously.

"We have discussed it over and over again, but for the time being there is no change in our position. As long as we don't change the structures, the move is not possible.

"I hope that the clubs recognise that we cannot change the structures for such a small minority - we have 52 associations who might be affected seriously by a change."

FA opposition

Aigner acknowledged that the United Kingdom was, historically, a "special case" in world football terms, with Welsh clubs playing in the English league and Berwick Rangers playing in Scotland.

But he warned that any attempt to tamper with domestic structures could have repercussions for the individual associations in the UK.

Currently, the home nations have right of veto over any proposed rule changes in world football, but that could be removed if the lines between the domestic leagues are blurred.

"It's very much for the football authorities in the United Kingdom to be aware of the chances and risks of changing structures," added Aigner.

Referring to a suggestion that the Old Firm would be invited to join by the English Football League at a meeting on Thursday, he maintained that it was not for the league to make such an invitation.

He said any such move had to come from the Football Association.

The FA made it clear this week that it opposed the Old Firm moving to England, as did the English Premiership.