Liverpool FC Forum

[A.B.]

UEFA confirmed that if they beat Milan in the final later this month but fail to finish in the top four of the Premiership, then they will seriously discuss the possibility of offering them a place in next season's draw.

Anfield officials had feared that their prospects of joining Europe's elite next season had virtually gone after the FA decided only the top four teams in the Premiership would qualify.

Now, though, UEFA have taken pity on the Merseyside club, despite originally insisting that there were only four places available to English clubs.



A spokesman for Europe's governing body explained last night that there had been a change of heart because they feel the Champions League could be devalued if the winners aren't allowed to defend their trophy.


UEFA's top brass will discuss the possibility of offering a fifth place to English clubs at a meeting in Manchester on June 18 and 19.


If the Anfield club do gain entry into next season's competition after winning it, then they will be top-seeded and given immediate entry into the group stages, forcing both Arsenal and Manchester United to go through the qualifying rounds

Good news and all, if you want to call it that but I seriously think that UEFA have all their bets on Milan, which is why they haven't come out and decided what exactly will happen, there has been no clear answer given. The FA yes, the UEFA no.

We need to win the CL before we get our hopes up though.

[MilitiaRusher]

Being drawn first seeded, it is guarenteed for us to advance to the knockout phase considering our European form.

[zarababe]

where did ya get this from AB

[fivecups]

If the Anfield club do gain entry into next season's competition after winning it, then they will be top-seeded and given immediate entry into the group stages, forcing both Arsenal and Manchester United to go through the qualifying rounds

Highly unlikely, but how sweet it would be.

Can you imagine the uproar if there were FIVE English teams in next years competition..............it aint going to happen.

[xd3vilx]

If the Anfield club do gain entry into next season's competition after winning it, then they will be top-seeded and given immediate entry into the group stages, forcing both Arsenal and Manchester United to go through the qualifying rounds

Highly unlikely, but how sweet it would be.

Can you imagine the uproar if there were FIVE English teams in next years competition..............it aint going to happen.

It Is Rather Possible...World Cup Is Worthless Without The Samba Boy Defending Their Title...A Cup With Lot Of History But Doesn't Has The Champion Playing...That Cup Is ******... If Arsenal Has To Play Qualifying Rounds I Will LMAO...Who Is One Who Say With Are Lucky To Reach The Final...

[Woollyback]

UEFA need to consider the marketability of the whole competition, it's pretty obvious that it will have a higher profile if Liverpool are in there instead of someone like Total Network Solutions

My gut instinct is that we won't be allowed in, but uefa will change the rules for next season to allow the holders automatic entry

[xd3vilx]

where did ya get this from AB

He Get That From Here...
----> http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport....ge.html

[kenco]

uefa, would want us in the compitition because of the world wide fan base,it would be television.but unless they change the rules i can't see it happening.

[76-1115222408]

Wouldlove to put the mancs and especially arsenal after wengers recent comments into the qualifying stages.....but its looking iffy, i just dont know whats gonna happen, my gut feeling is IF we win it, somehow we will be at least in the qualifying stages for it next year(said with fingers crossed)!!

[LFC #1]

If Everton finsih 4th, which is 99.9% certain, and we win the CL, both teams deserve to be in the competition. You may say Everton wouldn't cut it etc, but if they finish 4ht they deserve to be their, as do we if we win the whole ****** thing.

If it came down to pickin one tho, it should be the winners of the competiton over 4th place.

[zarababe]

where did ya get this from AB

He Get That From Here...
----> http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport....ge.html

Thanx 

[matt74]

i'm just happy with giving them the problem.

[zarababe]

Article from the Guardian.. on FIFA presdients support for us .. Grt news //

"Now Blatter backs Liverpool

Reds have 'right' to defend trophy, says Fifa president

Staff and agencies
Thursday May 12, 2005


Blatter: another powerful voice in football's corridors of power. Photograph: Jon Buckle/Getty,
 
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has given added impetus to Liverpool's bid to be allowed to defend the Champions League trophy next season if they beat AC Milan in the final.
Blatter insisted Uefa president Lennart Johansson was "right" to have raised the idea of Liverpool being granted a wild card into the competition as champions.

"Johansson said he would support the idea if the Football Association proposed it to Uefa. And I think he is right," he said.


Article continues

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Under Uefa rules, the Champions League winners are not automatically entitled to defend their crown and the FA's professional game board have already ruled in favour of their four places remaining with the top four in the Premiership.
That means Everton will join Manchester United in next season's qualifying round, with Liverpool at best able to finish fifth in the Premiership. However, the FA have already formally raised the matter of Liverpool being allowed special dispensation if they win the final.

And although Uefa has regularly insisted their rules are clear, Johansson has still raised the possibility of Liverpool's case being looked on favourably in two separate interviews.

While Blatter does not have any direct say in the eventual decision, his voice in the corridors of power is certainly influential - giving Liverpool added hope.

[A.B.]

Thats all and great but UEFA are certain that Milan will beat us so they don't have to actually make a decision. We need to win the trophy before we talk about whether we play next year or not.

[zarababe]

Thats all and great but UEFA are certain that Milan will beat us so they don't have to actually make a decision. We need to win the trophy before we talk about whether we play next year or not.

of course we do