[lfc-news] Big guns behind Liverpool bid - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 27 May 2005
Big guns behind Liverpool bid

Pressure has increased on UEFA to include Liverpool in the Champions
League next season after G14, the grouping of elite European clubs,
called for the Reds to be allowed to defend their trophy.

G14 was the body that forced UEFA to expand the Champions League in 1998
by threatening to set up a breakaway competition and now they have
thrown their weight behind Liverpool, one of their founder members.

A G14 spokesman said: "We support the desire to see Liverpool defend
their trophy and the matter will be raised at our management board
meeting next month. We believe UEFA should look at ways of allowing this
to happen."

The organisation is made up of 18 powerful clubs including Real Madrid,
AC Milan and Bayern Munich - as well as Manchester United and Arsenal -
and a formal approach will be made to UEFA after the G14 meeting in
Amsterdam on June 9.

Meanwhile, the FA's chairman Geoff Thompson, who is also a UEFA
vice-president, has continued lobbying for there to be five English
clubs in the Champions League so Liverpool can defend their crown.

His main argument is that nearly all the 52 UEFA member countries would
be given an extra place in the Champions League in similar circumstances
- apart from England, Spain and Italy because they are already allowed
four teams in the competition.

The FA believe that is an inconsistency in the regulations and that even
if UEFA are not convinced on this occasion they should change the rules
for the future.

Thompson said: "We are working extremely hard to try to secure the extra
place for Liverpool.

"Our basic concern is to ensure that all 52 countries have the same
opportunity. There is an additional place guaranteed should the
champions come from 49 countries in Europe but not for the other three -
England, Italy and Spain.

"We are saying that there should be a level playing field and that every
country should have the same opportunity."

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