'It's too late for Liverpool' - UEFA chief
A UEFA executive committee member believes it is too late to change
the rules to accommodate holders Liverpool into next season's
Champions League.
Pressure has increased on UEFA in the past week to include the Reds
in next season's competition following their stunning penalty
shoot-out triumph over AC Milan.
The elite European clubs group, the G14, have added their voice to
the clamour while Football Association chairman Geoff Thompson, who
is also a UEFA vice-president, has continued lobbying for there to
be five English clubs in the Champions League so the Reds can
defend their crown.
Liverpool will have to wait for another three weeks before the
issue is resolved by UEFA's 15-man executive committee at their
meeting in Manchester on June 17.
UEFA president Lennart Johansson is understood to be broadly
supportive, and his influence is extremely important though not
necessarily decisive.
However, Dr Joseph Mifsud, who has been on the committee since
1994, is a dissenting voice and is unequivocal in his belief the
current regulations should be adhered to, which would result in the
exclusion of the newly-crowned champions.
Mifsud, who is also the president of the Malta FA, told BBC Radio 5
Live: 'I believe we should follow the rules.
'If the rules permit it it is ok, if the rules do not permit it,
no.
'I believe that while the English FA can do something in this
regard, I believe as the rules stand at present at UEFA we cannot
do anything - unless of course the regulations are changed.
'But I don't agree regulations can be changed midway through the
season.
'As far as I can see it is too late.'
