[lfc-news] UEFA will find Liverpool Euro solution - PA

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PA Sport, 5 June 2005
UEFA WILL FIND LIVERPOOL EURO SOLUTION

UEFA will endeavour to find a "positive" solution to Liverpool's quest
to defend thier Champions League crown next season, according to a
member of their executive committee.

Pressure has increased on European football's governing body in the past
week to include the Reds in next season's competition following their
stunning penalty shoot-out triumph over AC Milan in Istanbul.

The G14 elite European clubs group have added their voice to the
clamour, while Football Association chairman Geoff Thompson - who is
also a UEFA vice-president - has continued lobbying for there to be five
English clubs in the 2005/2006 tournament so Liverpool can defend their
crown.

The Anfield club will probably have to wait until the middle of the
month before the issue is resolved by UEFA's 15-man executive committee
at their meeting in Manchester on June 17.

UEFA president Lennart Johansson is understood to be broadly supportive,
and his influence is extremely important though not necessarily
decisive, with many executive committee members insisting the
competition's rules must be adhered too.

"I feel the situation is very difficult," reflected Eggert Magnusson,
who is also president of the Football Association of Iceland.

"I have always said this was a matter the [English] FA should have taken
firmly, maybe two or three months ago when they faced the possibility
Liverpool could be in the final or even win the competition.

"The regulations say it quite clearly that there can only be four teams
from each nation, maximum, in the Champions League."

Magnusson added on BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek Programme: "UEFA is
obviously looking into this matter very seriously.

"I think a lot of people within UEFA, within the executive committee,
have a feeling in their heart for Liverpool, but the rules are there to
be followed, and that is something we also have to stand by.

"This is being looked into and I am sure we will try to find a positive
solution that everybody can be happy with.

"It is a difficult matter to solve and we are trying our best, so let's
see what happens.

"My heart is with Liverpool, but I am also a believer that you have to
stick to the regulations that are there already.

"The decision will be taken at the right time and by the right people.

"I think that [June 17] date could well be the crunch date because we
obviously have a meeting there and we will sit [together] in Manchester."

Magnusson believes UEFA will now look to ensure this scenario is not
allowed to happen again, where a team wins the European Cup, but does
not qualify via their domestic league position.

"You have to face a situation like this before you look seriously into
it," he said.

"Of course it happened some years ago, and the Spanish FA took a very
firm decision, but this time I think people will have to look seriously
into the consequences for the future."

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