Chelsea's hopes of winning the Premier League have been hit by
rumours that Manchester United will form a points coalition with
deadly rivals Liverpool ahead of Sunday's final matches.
Chelsea need to beat Wigan at Stamford Bridge to clinch the
crown but if they fail to take three points, a Manchester United
defeat of Stoke will secure a fourth successive Old Trafford
title.
However, United and Liverpool chiefs are believed to have spent
last night negotiating a deal by which Rafa Benitez's side - who
can finish no lower than seventh - will donate two of their points
to United to give Sir Alex Ferguson a one-point lead and in the box
seat.
Any points going spare? Rafa and Sir Alex are at
the centre of an alleged storm
Liverpool's act is fraught with risk, however, as it would leave
them just two ahead of eighth-placed Everton and needing to gain at
least a draw at relegated Hull to secure a Europa League place.
It could also rob them of credibility - however, since not
winning a league title themselves since Margaret Thatcher was Prime
Minister, that boat had long since sailed...
How could this happen? How Carlo Ancelotti might
look if the ManLiv pact rumour had a grain of truth in it
An unconfirmed Anfield legend said: 'It seems incredible that we
would help United to a 19th title and overtake our title but they
have promised us a Champions League placeas well as first refusal
on Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and
Ben Foster so this represents a good deal for LIverpool FC, its
supporters, players and official mascots'
When it was pointed out that Beckham and Butt are not even
United players, the legend insisted: 'That needn't matter - they've
promised - and it ensures the balance of footballing power
stays in the North-West.
'And we'll still finish ahead of Everton despite the fact
everyone says we're rubbish'
Stamford Bridge chiefs are said to be furious at the ManLiv pact
and a club spokesman said: 'It's incredible that a team who plays
in blue and gets the most points will not come out on top. Where on
earth did they come up with an idea like that? Whatever happened to
first past the post?
'It makes a mockery of the whole system and beyond belief that a
team in red could win because of behind-the-scenes dealing - we
will be taking this matter up with our local MP.'
Long-time Chelsea fan and ex-local MP David Mellor was
unavailable for comment because he was negotiating a deal to become
QPR's most high-profile celebrity supporter following his defection
from Fulham some years ago when they were rubbish.
Premier League rules about teams forming points coalitions are
vague and Peter Scudamore - a jockey and horse trainer who
shares the same surname as Premier League chief executive Richard
Scudamore - could shed no further light on the subject - even
though neither man was actually asked about it.
No answers: Neither Peter Scudamore (left) nor
David Mellor have anything to do with the Premier League
There was more prospective misery for Chelsea this morning when
the local borough council imposed a time limit on fans getting into
Stamford Bridge this weekend.
An unnamed source smarmed: 'The match kicks off at 4pm and fans
not in their seats by then will not be permitted access to the
ground until the next home match.'
Chelsea have requested an extension to allow fans caught in
traffic or public transport to be able to gain access to the
Bridge, but local council chiefs were adamant.
'We cannot extend the alloted time for supporters who
nonetheless have valid tickets to exchange them for a view of the
relevant football match in question even if they are in the queue
by 4pm - that's the law,' he said.
