The amazing Liverpool win over AC Milan on Wednesday poses a dilemma for the sport’s powers that be. The current rules mean that the 2005 Champions are ineligible to defend their title. By finishing only 5th in their domestic league Liverpool remain outside of the positions eligible for the Champions League. If ever there was a time to break the rule it is now.
Clearly no football fan would want to see the deserving champions denied a chance to defend their title. Furthermore, how would the 2006 champions feel knowing that they had won the title without overcoming the challenge of the defending champions? Common sense must and I believe will prevail. However to do so rules will have to be broken and precedent ignored (Real Madrid found themselves in a similar position some years back). The situation shows up the frailty of rules and yet many corporates stand by policies (rules) where common sense dictates they should be broken (see an earlier blog concerning Tempest Car Hire!). I am not advocating that there is no place for rules but there certainly are times when rules are made to be broken. This is one such case. I would be interested to know of corporate situations when you feel that the rule has stood in the way of common sense prevailing. Go on have a rant…
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Keith,
Clearly the solution is simple, and there is precedent. FIFA have left it up to English FA by saying that only four English teams can play in UEFA. This means that Everton must forgo their place in next season’s competition. As you say, “clearly” we wouldn’t want the defending champions to not be in the competition.
I suggest it will be a simple matter of contacting the chairman of Everton FC (see website here: http://www.evertonfc.com/) as well as the chairman of the Everton fans club (email him: ablue@evertonfc.com), simply pointing this out to them, and I am sure that they will do the right thing and step aside for Liverpool. I cannot see why rational logic would not prevail.
On this one, Keith, I think you might alone…
Keith,
I think you are right. The rules should most definitely be broken for Liverpool. In fact, they are such a deserving case, I think Chelsea should also forfeit the Premiership Title out of deference and the teams who stood between the top place and Liverpool should part like the Red Sea and allow Liverpool to take their rightful place at the top of the table. I know there is no law that would make that possible, but hey…it’s Liverpool - so that’s OK!
lol
You both think you’re funny but you’re not! You clearly are not thinking straight and I suggest that ‘green’ is the new ‘red’ (MU)and ‘blue’ (Chelsea)
Surely this should be a discussion about consitent all round, month on month, spectacular form, and not lucking it when it counts; resulting in whining from disapointed fans? I promise to light a candle for you and your team next season.