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Posted: 26-05-2005 00:05
by Cenotaph
If it was purely down to UEFA, then Everton wouldnt go :p Like Zaragoza didnt in 2000 to make place for Real Madrid.
I guess FA just doesnt really understand UEFA
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Posted: 26-05-2005 00:12
by The_One
I don't think Liverpool have quite the same financial draw as Real though (could be mistaken).
Everton will be in the Champion's League (qualifying). It is purely up to UEFA whether they grant the English FA a fifth place (they will discuss it in June).
Posted: 26-05-2005 00:18
by Cenotaph
Yes, but in order to grant a 5th english place, UEFA had to break its own rules.
The national association has the right to determine if they want Liverpool or Everton in it, and that wouldnt be breaking the current regulations. Thats y i say FA has the last word on this matter. Apparently, that already made their decision for Everton to go to the UCL and thats ok. Liverpool fans are the ones that should be worried.
Of course, FA does that to make pressure in UEFA, coz they know that its important for the title holder to be in the competition. They want a 5th place, but that would be unfair, and tbh, the countries in prejudice would have every legal aspects in favour of them if they wanted to dispute that eventual decision.
But, its like i said Liverpool fans are the ones that should be worried, i mean, my club is already qualified, so im happy.
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But i won't deny that i would prefer to see an historical team like Liverpool in the UCL, instead of Everton, which is not really that used to these major european competitions.
Posted: 26-05-2005 00:28
by R3L!K
i wouldn't want Everton pushed out of their rightful place, I have as much respect for Moyes as I do for Benitez.
But whats the point of being the champions of Europe, yet not being allowed to defend their title.
I hope UEFA realise the hippocrisy of their stance - if not then it just makes a mockery of the whole competition, in my opinion.
UEFA should have realised that a situation like this can happen and made a contingency for it. If they haven't then its about time they did.
My gut feeling tells me the rules might be changed.
Posted: 26-05-2005 00:32
by Cenotaph
Unfortunately, that can't happen for next season, as UEFA already said.
But, eventually, someone will got to give. Either that will be FA or UEFA, we'll see. I think that Liverpool should be there.
I mean, UEFA predicts these situation in the regulations, it's just that FA is not helping Liverpool at all. but i do know that for Everton fans that would be a major upset and i totally understand that. But Zaragoza gave their spot in 2000, and it was so unfair also. It's a difficult situation, that's for sure.
Ppl must also understand that by allowing Liverpool into UCL, UEFA would also have to remove another team from some minor country, that also earned is spot fair and square just like Everton, so its pretty much the same, either they follow their regulations, or break them.
Posted: 26-05-2005 01:00
by The_One
Or change them.
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Posted: 26-05-2005 01:04
by Cenotaph
That will be the solution.
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But they can't change them now, wouldnt really be fair, ppl would really see that as UEFA making a favour for the English football.
But when its changed, minor countries will just have to live with it. xD
Posted: 26-05-2005 03:16
by Catalyst
Cenotaph wrote:
But i won't deny that i would prefer to see an historical team like Liverpool in the UCL, instead of Everton, which is not really that used to these major european competitions.
Not that I'm a supporter of either club (good to see an english team winning in europe again though - especially one who isn't chelski), but the only reason everton have no european experience is because their best chance came the season after Heysel (and thus liverpool indirectly kept them out)- apparently they had a really good team developing but they never got to show themselves in european competition because of the english ban. So I seriously doubt everton fans would be very happy about that happening again
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.
Well done liverpool
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. And nice lot of monies you've won yourself there relly (:.
Posted: 26-05-2005 07:41
by [1234]Jr
What about these joke teams that just "make up the numbers"?
Surely Liverpool can be given their spot, i think it's a bit stupid and VERY stupid if they're not allowed to defend the title...
What a f*cking game. I live with a Liverpool fan and an AC fan, sat between em at student bar... Oh dear!
Football finals - the only time when two grown men who dont know eachother hug!
Posted: 26-05-2005 19:26
by Onge
Everton? Rightful place? Since when has finishing 4th in a league of 20 teams meant they have more right to play in a competition than the cup holders?
Either they both should enter or just Liverpool. An utter farce.
Posted: 26-05-2005 20:27
by Messy
It's just a risk you take by perhaps concentrating more on the CL than on the league.
Either way, Liverpool losing too many matches in their own national league should mean (by UEFA rules), that they are not allowed to participate in the CL, title or no title.
Posted: 26-05-2005 20:44
by R3L!K
What you say is true Messy - according to the rule book.
But it just doesn't seem in the 'spirit' of the game... you know?
Posted: 26-05-2005 21:39
by Cenotaph
Messy, thats not totally true...
The rules say its a decision to be taken by the national association. I think Liverpool as more to give to England in the UCL than Everton, but that just my opinion, of course.
Posted: 26-05-2005 22:24
by Catalyst
In the spirit of the competition, only the team who wins the league should play in it
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Posted: 26-05-2005 22:31
by R3L!K
well just to add a bit more fuel to the fire, some of you may find this article and the link it contains to the FA site very interesting.
http://www.thisisanfield.com/columnists ... d=00000115
looks to me like Everton should be 'relegated' to the UEFA cup - since this eventuality has been accounted for in the past.
Tough luck Everton :p
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