JUNE 6
Everton worried over Champions League cash

BreakingNews.ie

With UEFA on the brink of making a decision on Liverpool’s chances of defending the European Cup, cross-city rivals Everton have made it clear they would object to missing out financially from whatever decision is made.

Everton – who support Liverpool’s right to defend the trophy they won last month in Istanbul – fear that if Liverpool are added to the competition as a fifth English club, then the Barclays Premiership’s other entrants could suffer by a diluting of TV revenue.

UEFA are believed to be about to make a decision on Liverpool’s defence of their crown, possibly within a couple of days as executive committee delegates are consulted ahead of their scheduled meeting in Manchester next week.

But Everton are concerned about the financial implications of such a move.

Reports surfaced last week that if UEFA give Liverpool the green light it would be at a potential £5million cost to Everton if both clubs ended up in the group stages of the competition.

However, Goodison Park chief executive Keith Wyness insists Everton are not in favour of such a move.

Wyness believes the onus is on UEFA to find a way of accommodating Liverpool without damaging any club already confirmed as participants.

Wyness said: “I have no problem with the title holders defending their title, as we have said previously.

“However, it should be at no financial expense to any of the other clubs in the competition.

“One solution would be for them to be treated almost as a club with no country and therefore it would not affect the country pool of the clubs that qualify through the normal means.

“It would be up to UEFA to decide what remuneration, apart from gate income, the title holders would receive.”

JUNE 6
Midweek decision for Reds

TEAMtalk

Uefa's executive committee members are hoping to reach a decision by Wednesday on Liverpool's bid to defend their Champions League title.

Rafael Benitez's side won Europe's finest club competition after a thrilling victory over AC Milan - but a fifth-placed finish in the Premiership was not good enough to enter next season's tournament.

Uefa officials are now due to discuss possibilities, with increased pressure on European football's governing body to include the Reds.

The G14 elite European clubs group have added weight, 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 2005/6 tournament.

Uefa director of communications William Gaillard, who confirmed a decision is expected within two days, said: "It will depend on many telephone calls and the issue being discussed thoroughly with the executive committee members."

In 2000/1, Real Madrid defended the trophy despite finishing fifth because the Spanish football federation decided to hand them Real Zaragoza's place.

Gaillard believes there is extra "sympathy" for Liverpool because their win in Istanbul was so dramatic.

Benitez's side were 3-0 down at half-time, only to pull level and to eventually win on penalties.

"There is a lot of sympathy for Liverpool's plight, at the same time we have rules," Gaillard added on the BBC Today programme. "You strike a compromise between the sympathy and the rules.

"The rule was applied five years ago in Spain, replacing the fourth-placed team with the champions (of the Champions League).

"So there is a precedent. At the same time, we understand that in England - and probably outside given the way they won the title - that provoked a lot of sympathy.

"It's not (just) common sense, not as easy as it sounds, because it may have an influence on other clubs.

"It's important we get a consensus from our executive committee on the matter before proceeding."

JUNE 5
UEFA will find Liverpool Euro solution

Sporting Life

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."

JUNE 3
Reds' fate rests with group of 14

By Nick Coligan - Liverpool Echo

Fourteen men hold Liverpool FC's Champions League fate in their hands.

They form Uefa's executive committee, which will decide in two weeks' time whether to let the Reds take part in next season's competition.

Today the ECHO's Let It Be campaign calls on the committee to allow Liverpool to defend their trophy.

Committee members have one vote each at the crunch meeting in Manchester on
June 17.

Of the 14 members, five - including Uefa president Lennart Johansson - are thought to favour granting the Anfield club a spot.

Three others are believed to be against, while six more appear to be undecided.

But Mr Johansson, who has already talked sympathetically about Liverpool's plight, could play a crucial role.

He has already said publicly that "the winner should have the chance to defend the title" and his influence over wavering committee members could be important.

English FA chairman Geoff Thompson, the only British member, is lobbying hard for Liverpool.

He believes Uefa should allow five English clubs into next season's Champions League - even though the rules say no country may have more than four participants.

The FA had the chance to nominate Liverpool as one of England's representatives, but chose Everton after they finished fourth in the Premiership.

JUNE 3
Blues back Reds bid despite a £5m loss

By David Prentice - Liverpool Echo

Everton are still backing Liverpool's bid to defend their Champions League trophy next season - even though it could cost them £5m if their neighbours join them in the lucrative group stages.

The third qualifying round is the gateway to a multi-million pound windfall, although UEFA chief-executive Lars-Christer Olsson has warned the English clubs' carve-up could be reduced by as much as £5m each if they allow Liverpool to defend the trophy.

"If Liverpool take part, then the income of the other English clubs in the competition will be reduced and the figure will run into millions," he said yesterday.

The financial rewards clubs receive from the Champions League come from two sources - prize money, depending on progress in the competition, and a share of the market pool, calculated according to how much that country's TV channels pump in.

English television's input is the most lucrative, so English clubs take the most out.

Liverpool's entry would see that portion of the English cake sliced into five, not four.

But Everton chief executive Keith Wyness confirmed: "Despite what is a most intense local rivalry, we do believe that Liverpool should be invited to return as holders."

Everton will be unseeded when the July 29 draw is made, but that blow has been tempered by news that Mikael Forssell is set to become David Moyes' second big signing of the summer, and the much prized Scott Parker could quickly follow.

With all of the major European Leagues now completed, the list of seeds for the decisive third qualifying round draw on July 29 is close to being completed.

And in the complicated co-efficient ranking system UEFA use, Everton are not even close to being seeded.

That means seeded Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic are potential third round opponents, provided Celtic over-come their second round opposition.

JUNE 2
City leaders back the Reds

By Nick Coligan & Mary - Liverpool Echo

City leaders are backing the ECHO's Let It Be campaign.

Council chiefs will write to Uefa officials demanding Liverpool FC are allowed to defend their Champions League trophy.

They are determined to have their say before European soccer leaders meet to decide the Reds' fate later this month.

At next week's meeting, councillors will ask chief executive Sir David Henshaw to contact Uefa and the English FA to voice their support for the Reds. They want both the city's football clubs to represent the country in next season's Champions League.

Council leader Cllr Mike Storey and fellow Liberal Democrat Cllr Richard Marbrow have placed a motion before the meeting.

Cllr Storey said: "It is absolutely outrageous that the European champions are not allowed to defend their title because of some bureaucratic nonsense.

"I cannot believe there is no way of sorting this issue out."

Opposition leader Cllr Joe Anderson said: "I will be supporting this motion because I believe Liverpool deserve to be in the competition as champions, particularly after getting through matches against Juventus, Chelsea and Milan."

The motion, which will be considered by councillors next Wednesday, says: "Asa matter of sporting fairness, the champions of Europe should defend their title and no other team should be disadvantaged by this."

It also congratulates Liverpool on their astonishing triumph in Istanbul last week and Everton's fourth-place Premiership finish, which means they will play in the top European competition for the first time in more than 30 years.

The political battle is also being taken up on foreign fields in a meeting between one of the region's Euro MP and Uefa chiefs.

Arlene McCarthy met football leaders in Brussels yesterday after writing to Uefa vice president Per Omdal last week.

Ms McCarthy, a founder member of Friends of Football in the European Parliament, said: "I was delighted with the outcome of the meeting. Uefa officials assured me they would do everything possible to facilitate Liverpool FC's entry to the 2006 Champions League.

"They also welcomed the fact that Liverpool participating in the final was good for the Champions League and good for football."

JUNE 1
Uefa chief: Reds too late

TEAMtalk

A Uefa executive committee member believes it is too late to change the rules to accommodate holders Liverpool into next season's
Champions League.

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

The elite European clubs group, the G14, 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 Champions League so the Reds can defend their crown.

Liverpool will have to wait for another three weeks before the issue is resolved by Uefa's 15-man executive committee at their meeting in Manchester on 17 June.

Uefa president Lennart Johansson is understood to be broadly supportive, and his influence is extremely important though not necessarily decisive.

However, Dr Joseph Mifsud, who has been on the committee since 1994, is a dissenting voice and is unequivocal in his belief the current regulations should be adhered to, which would result in the exclusion of the newly-crowned champions.

Mifsud, who is also the president of the Malta FA, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I believe we should follow the rules.

"If the rules permit it, it is ok, if the rules do not permit it, no.

"I believe that while the English FA can do something in this regard, I believe as the rules stand at present at Uefa we cannot do anything - unless of course the regulations are changed.

"But I don't agree regulations can be changed midway through the season. As far as I can see, it is too late."

MAY 30
Reds decision near

By Alex Livie - Sky Sports

Uefa chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson has confirmed that a decision on Liverpool's participation in next season's UEFA Champions League is likely to be made before June 17.

The Reds are not guaranteed entry into next season's competition despite beating Milan in last week's final, having finished outside of the top four in The Premiership.

There have been widespread calls for Liverpool to be handed a place in Europe's flagship tournament and Uefa's executive committee are set to discuss the matter at a meeting on June 17.

Dialogue is set to take place before the meeting on June 17, with Olsson suggesting a decision on Liverpool's fate could be made before the committee sit to ratify any rule change.

"We have got a letter from The FA asking us to bring it up and if anyone asks us to bring it up, we will do that at a meeting of the executive committee," Olsson told Sky Sports News.

"It is difficult to predict the outcome because when you start the season of Champions League you have to know what is going to happen next season, because since you are qualifying through your domestic competition, you have to be sure if you are competing for a place in the Champions League.

"That is decided by the rules of the previous year, not the current year, but it is up to the executive committee to discuss and if they would like to make an amendment, they can.

"This is why we are going to call for an extra executive committee meeting."

Confirming a decision could be made any time in the next three weeks, Olsson added: "We can make a decision before the meeting, because it is important for the clubs playing that they know the conditions.

"We are doing an analysis now and it is complex.

"There will be an open discussion. It is a welcome debate because there are different views in different countries.

"It cannot be a discussion only about Liverpool. The entire rule has to be discussed."

MAY 29
Johansson boosts Liverpool hopes

BBC Sport Online

Uefa president Lennart Johansson has given Liverpool's hopes of defending their Champions League title a boost.

The Swede said that football's European ruling body must make a decision as a "matter of a real urgency".

"The winner should have a chance to defend the title," Johansson told the Sunday Times.

"We must sit down to see if there is a way to make it happen. If there is a rule that harms the tournament, we have to discuss changing the rule."

Following Liverpool's sensational victory over AC Milan in Istanbul, a decision was set to be made when Uefa's executive committee meet in Manchester on 17 June.

However, there is growing sympathy for the Merseyside club's plight and Johansson added that he wanted the matter resolved within the next 10 days.

Uefa chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson confirmed that talks may take place ahead of next month's meeting.

He said: "We will arrange a telephone conference because the urgency of the situation is too important to wait until we could get the full committee together."

The Football Association maintains the clubs that finished in the top four of the Premiership - Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton - were their nominees.

And it was revealed earlier this month that the FA had submitted a written request to Uefa asking for an additional Champions League place if Liverpool won the final, which they then did on penalties.

However, Johansson was critical of the FA's stance, describing the organisation as "not helping find a solution".

But it looks increasibly likely that Rafael Benitez's side will be given a berth in the tournament at the expense of Fenerbahce, who will have to drop into the qualifying competition.

Liverpool will not be asked to pre-qualify, partly because that process clashes with Uefa's showpiece date for the Super Cup match between the Champions League winners and the Uefa victors, CSKA Moscow, in Monaco on 26 August.

Franz Beckenbauer, who is tipped to be the next Uefa president, has given his support to Liverpool's cause.

"Anyone who was in Istanbul knows they saw one of the greatest matches in European Cup history," said the German.

"The champions must always defend their crown. Any problems must be overcome. There is great support for their case.

"If I am asked I will tell Uefa Liverpool should be part of the competition next season.

"How can we turn our backs on them and say 'No, you are not welcome'. It won't be the same if the champions are missing."

MAY 27
UEFA can't deny Rafa's men now

Echo Comment by John Thompson Sports Editor

UEFA'S top brass will now surely have faces as red as the streets
of Liverpool.

Their embarrassment will only grow as the world's media turns its eyes upon them and demands Liverpool are allowed to defend their Champions League trophy next season.

The ECHO has been calling for UEFA to see sense on this one for several weeks now as the dilemma loomed.

After the astonishing theatrics in Istanbul, there is no shortage of fresh allies and heavy artillery on the Kop's battlefront today.

This a fight UEFA must step back from with all the urgency of Rafael Benitez's half-time team talk on Wednesday night.

Because bloody-minded administrators in grey suits must not be allowed to hold sway on this issue, stub-bornly insisting 'rules are rules' and that Liverpool cannot join their neighbours Everton in next year's competition and must instead go into the UEFA Cup.

Is UEFA Communications Director William Gaillard serious?

And even if he is, what gives him the right to declare UEFA policy on this dilemma?

Gaillard is not only up against the 750,000 delirious Kopites who staged the greatest street party in European football history last night. He's up against world legends like Franz Becken-bauer, Eusebio and Kenny Dalglish who are demanding Liverpool's right of passage is sorted and sorted fast.

The bottom line is this.

UEFA have a ridiculous anomaly in their rules. One which says they don't care whether or not the which says they don't care whether or not the Champions League title holders are allowed to defend their prize. They pass that buck on to the various European FAs.

The English FA's new chief executive Brian Barwick is a lifelong Liverpool fan and therefore has to be very careful what he says.

But to Barwick's great professional credit, he has summed it up perfectly. UEFA have an extraordinary problem on their hands. And they need an extraordinary solution.

The sooner they find it, the better. Hope-fully before their next executive committee meeting in Manchester on June 16. Because it is UEFA's reputation that will suffer dreadfully if they dither now.

Beckenbauer today says there are many intelligent people at UEFA and we should put our trust in them. Let's hope he is right and that men like UEFA President Lennart Johannson will stand up on behalf of the most heroic and popular Champions the UEFA Champions League has ever seen. They can find the method if they want to. Where there is a will there is a way.

The demand comes not just from Liverpool Football Club and their magnificent fans, and not just the Liverpool ECHO.

It comes from every fair-minded sports fan in Europe. And it is that Rafael Benitez and his men must now be allowed back in.

The decision does not need to go to extra time.

MAY 27
Anxious wait for Liverpool

Sporting Life

Liverpool will have to wait three weeks before they will know whether they can defend their Champions League title next season.

UEFA's executive committee are set to discuss the issue of allowing a fifth English side in the competition at their meeting in Manchester on June 17.

European football's governing body are standing by their line that Liverpool can only play if Everton, who finished fourth in the Premiership, drop out but it is understood the matter will be voted on by the 15-man ruling committee.

The Football Association, who have already decided the top four sides in the Premiership will play in the Champions League, are to intensify their lobbying of UEFA.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick said: "It's an exceptional situation, that follows an exceptional match and which we believe requires an exceptional solution.

"What UEFA have, and I sympathise with them to a degree, is a situation where they are faced with not having their own champions in their own competition which is called the Champions League. I think in its own way that tells its own story.

"Liverpool finished outside the top four. I think the FA were right and proper to put the top four in to the Champions League. That's how teams kicked off in August, expecting a top-four finish to give them qualification or pre-qualification and that will not be changed."

UEFA have insisted England can have a maximum of four teams in Europe's elite club competition but several leading figures in European football have been persuaded Liverpool should be allowed to defend their trophy without taking the place of another English side.

It is understood Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer is among those who have been convinced Liverpool should defend their crown. Beckenbauer is not on the executive committee but he is standing for election to be the next UEFA president.

FA chairman Geoff Thompson is a UEFA vice-president and will be able to raise the issue at the meeting next month.

Of four other members, one pledged support for the FA's position while the other three said they will keep an open mind.

UEFA communications director William Gaillard insists he expects Liverpool to be playing in the UEFA Cup next season because a precedent had been set in the 2000-01 season, when Real Madrid defended the trophy despite finishing fifth because the Spanish football federation decided to hand them Real Zaragoza's place.

He said: "The rules are what they are. They were used already once when Real Madrid won...and actually were not among the qualifiers in the Spanish league.

"There could be a discussion with the executive committee but we don't normally change rules in the middle of the competition."

It is not the middle of the competition however - the meeting will be between competitions and UEFA president Lennart Johansson, the most powerful man in the organisation by far, is understood to have told Liverpool chairman David Moores he would try to help.

A senior UEFA figure admitted: "If the president decides he wants Liverpool to be the fifth English side in Europe then he can try to persuade the executive committee to change the rules. It is in their power and he has definitely left the door open for discussion."

The FA will not press for Liverpool to be given outright qualification, but at least be allowed to join the qualifying rounds - Welsh champions TNS have already offered to give up their place if Liverpool beat them in a 'pre-qualifier'.

MAY 27
Dalglish issues Uefa plea

TEAMtalk

Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish believes Liverpool defending the Champions League would require football's governing bodies to examine the qualification system for the tournament.

Rafael Benitez's side lifted the trophy on Wednesday with their penalty shoot-out victory over AC Milan, but they finished outside the top four of the Barclays Premiership - which denies them a place in next season's competition.

However, Real Madrid have previously been granted permission to defend their title after finishing outside the qualification places in their domestic league, albeit after the Spanish Football Federation relegated Real Zaragoza to the Uefa Cup.

Dalglish, who had a hugely successful spell as a player and manager at Anfield, believes this would cause problems for Uefa or the Football Association.

He said: "Three or four years ago there was a precedent set with Real Madrid. I don't know who is to blame for it but I think at the start of next season clubs will be told the top four teams will qualify for the Champions League.

"That was the state of play at the start of the season."

Ironically, it was Liverpool's city rivals Everton who snatched fourth place from them in the league last season.

Whether Liverpool are able to defend their title or not, Dalglish believes Benitez's side were worthy champions.

He told Talk Sport: "Overall they deserve it, there's no dispute. They carried the game to Milan and made them look ordinary."

Dalglish, who watched the match in his local pub only to leave at half-time when Liverpool were 3-0 behind, added: "Over 120 minutes he got it right. In fact, he's got it right in every European game."

He added: "I started off in the pub but left at half-time and went home. It was a bit sad being in the house on your own when they scored."

Thor Zakariassen ©