[lfc-news] UEFA plans give Liverpool hope of return - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 10 May 2005
UEFA plans give Liverpool hope of return
By Ian Dayle, Daily Post

UEFA have already drawn up plans that will allow Liverpool to take their
place in next season's Champions League should they beat AC Milan in
this month's European Cup final.

No decision on the Anfield's side European fate will be made until an
executive committee meeting in Manchester on June 18, where it will be
discussed whether Liverpool are given special dispensation to defend the
title should they lift the trophy on May 25.

But it has emerged that if UEFA hand a Champions League berth to Rafael
Benitez's team, the competition framework is already in place that would
see Liverpool go straight into the group stage as top seeds without any
knock-on effect to the other qualifiers.

The Football Association can nominate only four clubs for next season's
Champions League and last week opted to award the places to the top four
Premiership teams, irrespective of Liverpool winning the European Cup in
Turkey.

But the UEFA Champions League 2005-06 access list - an official document
stating how many clubs from each country can qualify and at what stage
they enter the competition - states the title holders as a separate
entity among the list of 16 clubs who move directly to the group stage.

It means England could have three teams automatically through to the
group stage with Chelsea and Arsenal's places both assured, and also
opens up the chance of the eighth-placed Premiership team being given
Liverpool's possible vacant UEFA Cup place.

A UEFA spokesperson confirmed yesterday: "If Liverpool win the Champions
League and are allowed to defend, it will not make any difference to any
of the other qualifiers. The qualification criteria that is in place
would not have to change."

However, should Milan lift the European Cup, as the Italians have
already qualified for next season's Champions League, the champions from
the highest-placed country on the next qualification tier would go
straight to the group stage.

In that case, it would be Turkey's league winners who profit. With
Galatasaray - who play at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium that will host the
European Cup final - still in with a chance of lifting the championship,
it could leading to the intriguing prospect of home supporters cheering
for a Liverpool defeat in Istanbul.

Meanwhile UEFA president Lennart Johansson has repeated his views of a
couple of weeks ago when he stated yesterday that a way could be found
for Liverpool to be allowed back into next season's tournament as
holders, despite not qualifying through the Barclays Premiership.

Johansson made that statement initially before the semi-final second leg
with Chelsea, which saw Liverpool qualify for the May 25 final against
AC Milan.

But further comments from UEFA's director of communications William
Gaillard threw doubt over the prospect.

But Johansson has advised the English FA to put an appeal in writing and
it will be favourably received.

He said: "Let's deal with it when we know the facts after the final of
the Champions League.

"And then see to it that we are crystal-clear that the champion must
always be given the opportunity to defend the title."

UEFA have confirmed they will discuss the situation at their next
meeting in Manchester in June, but are considering making a ruling to
stop the confusion which has reigned this season happening in future.

It is believed that pressure has been brought on UEFA from sponsors and
TV companies not to allow a situation in which a club as big worldwide
as Liverpool are excluded next season.

It's a view supported by former Kop hero John Toshack, who said:
"Liverpool will be disappointed themselves about this failure to get
into the Champions League through the league.

"Maybe this is a time for UEFA to make a decision. The winners should
always be able to defend their title.

"If you start saying at the beginning of the season that the top four go
in, then that's what you must do. But I still believe the champions
should be allowed to defend the trophy."

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