RIO DE JANEIRO, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Clubs have until August to submit a formal proposal to include knockout stages in Brazil's top domestic football competition, according to media reports.

Under the plan, the Serie A will maintain its 38 home and away rounds, with the addition of semifinals and a final.

Support for the proposal has gathered pace since being raised by Bahia state federation president Ednaldo Rodrigues in December.

Folha de S.Paulo reported on Thursday that the knockout format has the support of most club presidents and influential television broadcaster O Globo.

But 14 of the top flight's 20 coaches, including Flamengo's Vanderlei Luxemburgo and Palmeiras' Oswaldo de Oliveira, oppose the move.

Brazil's football federation has asked club representatives to present a proposal for the change before the 2016 calendar is finalized in August.

The country's Serie A competition previously included knockout stages before adopting a home-and-away points format in 2003.