[lfc-news] Blatter backs Liverpool - PA

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Help save the life of a child. Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's
'Thanks & Giving.'
http://us.click.yahoo.com/6iY7fA/5WnJAA/Y3ZIAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

PA Sport, 12 May 2005
BLATTER BACKS LIVERPOOL

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 told the Evening Standard.

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 Barclays Premiership.

That means Everton will join Manchester United in next season's
qualifying round, with Liverpool at best able to finish fifth in the
domestic league.

However, the FA have already formally raised the matter of Liverpool
being allowed special dispensation if they win the final.

And although UEFA have 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.

The FIFA president is, meanwhile, convinced that goal-line technology
will be in place for the 2006 World Cup, having seen the controversy
over the goal which sealed Liverpool's semi-final victory against
Chelsea at Anfield.

The technology involves balls containing a microchip that would send a
signal to the referee if the ball had crossed the line, ruling out the
need for TV cameras to adjudicate.

"I am convinced it will be ready for the World Cup," said Blatter. "They
had 12 cameras [at Anfield] and you still couldn't see."

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/