[lfc-news] UEFA: No extra place for English clubs - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 25 April 2005
No extra place for English clubs - UEFA
By Rob Brady, Liverpool Echo

ANY possibility of Everton and Liverpool both competing in the Champions
League next season has been ruled out by UEFA.

European football's governing body is adamant that England can have no
more than four clubs taking part in the tournament.

It means one of the Merseyside teams will miss out should the Reds lift
the European Cup next month and the Blues finish fourth in the Premiership.

The FA is holding talks with UEFA to clarify which side would qualify
for the 2005/06 tournament. Any hopes of finding a solution that would
allow both to take part have been quashed.

Liverpool seem certain to expect to be allowed to defend their title
should they triumph in this season's competition, while Everton will be
furious if they miss out on the biggest club competition after occupying
fourth spot in the Premiership for so long.

UEFA chief executive Lars Christer Olsson appears to favour the Blues'
cause, but insists the final decision will rest with the FA.

He said: "There is no way England can have more than four teams, so we
would refer it to the English FA to make the decision if it arises.
Normally I would say it is more important if you are qualified through
your national league position than if you have won the competition."

An FA spokesman said today: "We have not formed a decision on this as
yet and discussions with UEFA will continue to take place."

The final decision would be taken by the FA board, rather than solely by
chief executive Brian Barwick, a life long Reds fan.

The situation is not without precedent. In Spain, Real Madrid won the
1999/2000 competition while finishing fifth in La Liga, yet they still
qualified for the following season's tournament at the expense of
fourth-placed Real Zaragoza.

Neither Everton nor Liverpool have issued any comment on the situation.

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