Spineless FA The national media are quickly catching on to how the English F.A. protected both Arsenal and Chelsea last season when it cropped up that there would not have been enough Champions League places on offer for them this season had results created a complicated and controversial situation. You will recall that Arsenal and Chelsea met in the quarter-finals of the competition last year so a similar situation could have developed like the one we're currently facing, should we actually win the Champions League by defeating Milan. Although the problem never actually presented itself last season, the FA made provisions for the 4th placed team to be entered into the UEFA Cup instead of the Champions League. On March 10th last year, the FA published the following statement: "Should Arsenal or Chelsea win the Champions League, they will automatically qualify for next season's competition, but England will not gain an extra Champions League place, even if they finish outside of the top four in the Premiership. In that scenario, the fourth-placed team in the Premiership will play in next season's Uefa Cup." Fortunately Oliver Kay of The Times has picked up on this and so too has Sam Wallace of The Independent. The FA's original statement on it's website has now been taken off, no surprise there then. http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/ContactUs/Postings/2004/03/European_Places.htm
yeah, i can see why they have changed things this time - as has been said, everton missed the opportunity to field arguably the best side they have had in european competition due to liverpool. to deny them again, is frankly taking the piss.
exactly and do you not think there would be a bit more trouble considering the 2 clubs in question are liverpool and everton?! frankly if the fa decided to make everton play in the champions league then i think there would be hell on
This was Changed before the last world cup thou by FIFA wasnt it, thats how Brazil have to qualify for the World Cup n Greece have to qualify for the Euro's so if they have to do it Liverpool should have to qualify like everyone else if Everton get 4th they deserve that last Qualifier spot.
Representatives of Welsh League champions (Barry Town) have said they would agree to play Liverpool in a two-legged play off at the end of the season.
All this may end up irrelevent if Newcastle do their job this weekend, and Liverpool pick up a result at Highbury. Evertons game in hand is away at Arsenal, and then last day of the season - away at Bolton.
Its all about who ya know not what ya know same as owen hargreaves sure his dad works for the FA cos that twat doesnt deserve to be in england squad FA please itself so why bother fighting them
If Everton had got denied that spot, It would have been Hysel all voer again! There would have been uproar form the Everton fans!!! They deserve the spot. At start of season everyone thought, top 4 teams get Champions League football, that's how it should remain. Although it is a disgracde how the holders wouldnt be allowed to defend their title in a case like this! FIFA ARE SHIT!!!!
haha i love it, they cud win the comp but not even get the chance to retain it i personally think the 4th place team should get the place in the champions league because its always been the way and would be unfair to them after a hard season to change the rules
thats wat i was thinkin end of day liverpool were told at the start of the season (along with every other club) that to qualify you would have to finish in top 4 because winning it was not enough its only because people have the media have exploited it in last month or so the rules wont be changed to make exceptions
Exactly. Stop complaining and get on with it. The league states that Everton have done better than you in the league, therefore they deserve the CL spot. You can spit your dummy out bcos the Blue half of Merseyside are better than you all you want, it won't change a thing.
