Liverpool in or out?

[Oddsfellow]

Should Liverpool be able to defend their title next season? This from Sporting Life today

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."

Personally i would say the champions league for 2006 started in August of 2004 with the start of the premier league. The top 4 teams from that process then qualify for the next stage. Unfortunately for Liverpool they weren't one of those and thus should be out.

[kompressaur]

I dont usually get involved in this kind of thing Odds but i would have to disagree with you. Its only the money thats made the European Cup into this Champs League thingy. If they had won the European cup they would be able to defend it (they could couldnt they?) Every team deserves the right to defend a traphy that they hold irrespective if they dont meet the criteria for entry into the competition they won the year previous.

It seems the Champs league are good enough to change the rules and requirements to suit themselves regarding format etc. It seems to me they havent really thought this through at the time and in future they should always make allowances for the team thats got the trophy to defend it against those that want to take it from them. If i was a liverpool fan i would be raging at those in charge.

[ONEDUNME]

"I am also a believer that you have to stick to the regulations that are there already."


Me too. Out for me I'm afraid. Not that I'm anti-Liverpool by any means. I'd say the same about any club.

[GETT1NLOTS]

The Champions League is already a joke. Why not make it even more of a joke by not even having the Champions in it next time?

In for me.

And you just see - they will be in it one way or another.

[daikoku]

I'd like to see them defend the title. Although I'll be very surprised if the ruling doesn't go against them. It's a daft rule, the current champions should always be able to defend their title.

[all_funkt_up]

I thought it would be best to leave liverpool out. They didnt get in as per the guidelines set out at the start of the season and therefore shouldnt qualify. Having had the last week or so to sober up and consider it thoroughly, I think nah, let them in and kick some cack European team out. Sod them, Champions in for me. Who cares what the rules were at the start. Plus, watching the FA sweat is fun!