Stupid English FA and UEFA

Who would you rather want in the Champions League? The team that came 4th in the domestic league, or the team that won the Champions League? Seems a no-brainer to me. Once upon a time the European Cup was only for actual winners (and before you say it, I know Liverpool only qualified last season through 4th place).

The English FA have to take a look at themselves. When the same thing happened in Spain, Real Madrid were rightfully allowed to defend their trophy even though they finished outside the top 4.

You can say that at the start of the season that 4th place was the aim for the Champions League. Just because people were ignorant of the fact that something like this could happen does not therefore mean that you have to give a CL place to 4th place. If people buttumed that then that is their fault. England are given 4 invitations to the CL. The English FA should put a rule in place saying the top 3 teams get in for sure and 1 other, either the 4th place team or a club outside the top 4 if they won the tournament. I have nothing against Everton btw. They have just got in the way.

UEFA also have to look at themselves. By leaving this decision to the individual countries, they risk this happening and devalue their own competition.

I know World Cup winners no longer qualify automatically, but that's different. Countries don't really want to play 2 years of friendlies (although if they failed to qualify I'm sure they would change their mind).

Stephen