Bitter Blues Wankers the lot of 'em. 1403Nope, they state that England have four teams in the Champions League. Arrogance? Are they suggesting we lost deliberately to the likes of those sides? They keep...
encouraging
No, the rules state that England has four places- they do not state how these 4 should be arrived at.
The only 'rule' stated by the Premier league-FA in regard of the CL winner not finishing in the top 4 of the EPL, was posted on thier website in April 2004. This states quite clearly that the the fourth placed side would make way for the CL winner. However, when someone dug this gem out, it disappeared.
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It is the May 2005 meeting of the FA-EPL which changed the rules. As of the beginning of the season 2004-05 the ONLY statement made by the FA at any time on the situation we are now faced with, was that CL winner takes precedence over 4th place, meaning Liverpool not Everton would be through to the CL next season.
I actually have some sympathy with UEFA in this case, and the problem is just as much caused by the FA's sudden change of heart, as UEFA's stupid rules.
Rafa also hinted on the night, or maybe on Thursday, that if we are not allowed to defend, then we would not play ball in Japan or the Super cup- I take this to mean reserve sides.
Further, I don't think that we should even think about pre-qualifying for the CL- all or nothing. The season will be bad enough with one week less and a week in Japan. A CL qualifier would be bad news.
