Stupid English FA and UEFA 1372

4th for to either tournament.

I agree with most of this. It seems certain to me that (typically) the FA were asleep over all those weeks when interest was centred around that 4th place spot. They were just not aware of (a) what might occur, and (b) the option that UEFA had given them if it did.

EUFA had probably bowed to pressure from some of the bigger sides afraid of missing out on the golden goose if they had a slip up in their league position, and so included this get out clause for the countries ruling bodies, and Real M took advantage of it. That is the problem here. The option was stupid, but it is one held by the FA who declined to envoke it, not EUFA.

But after all this I can see no sensible reason why UEFA should change their clear rules of what is needed to qualify which is simply the top 3 or 4 teams depending on the league. They did not feel the need to include the winners by right so why should they suddenly do so now? They gave this right to the FA who did not use it. Case closed surely? Why did Zaragossa ( was it?) have to get dumped out by Real if EUFA are able to change the rules on a whim? Isn't it just a coincidence that most years the winners also manage to qualify. Good luck to them, but the rules make no provision for EUFA to allow them back in if they don't.

The other popular reason given for a teams late inclusion is simply emotional nonsense. "The Champions should defend the title" has a nice rallying ring to it but it makes no sense. WHY? The only answer I have heard seems to be that the contest is devalued if they don't? It's an amazing idea that last weeks final would have been diluted if Porto had finished too low in their league to take part, or that the FA cup was made less important to the fans when the best team in England and Europe took no part.

I hope the Reds do get in by the side door but I have yet to hear any reasonable argument why they should

LC