Liverpool decision could come soon
UEFA chief Lennart Johansson has hinted Liverpool may not have to wait much longer to find out their Champions League destiny.
President Johansson will speak to UEFA’s executive committee today about whether the European champions will have the chance to defend their title next season.
Liverpool beat AC Milan on penalties to win the Champions League final in Istanbul on May 25 – but the fact they finished out of the top four in the Barclays Premiership means their European action could be confined to the UEFA Cup next season.
But Johansson, who this morning confirmed he is in favour of Rafael Benitez’s team taking part in next season’s Champions League, will consult his UEFA executives later today – with the decision possibly being confirmed later this week, ahead of the proposed D-day of June 17.
Johansson told BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme: “They are to decide today on which date and what time they are going to have a telephone conference.
“They will look at which alternatives are available. One decision is about what will happen in the future but the main decision is what will happen to Liverpool. I trust it will be a decision which will be accepted by all parties.
“We have the ambition on the one hand to give Liverpool the opportunity to defend their title – but on the other hand we need to make sure no-one suffers from such a decision.”
Liverpool’s Mersey rivals Everton, who beat the Reds to the fourth qualification spot, have already said they would object to a solution which would mean them having to take a smaller share of the prize money.
Officials in Turkey have also expressed dissatisfaction that Liverpool may be entered into the group stages with a high seeding therefore demoting their champions, Fenerbahce, to the qualifying round.
The 75-year-old Swede continued: “In my opinion Liverpool should be in from the very beginning – they will have to go through all the competition. But I want people to know they are free to have their own opinion.
“I’ve not talked to them yet and want them to have the background I have studied – it would be wrong of me to say they are in favour (of Liverpool playing in the Champions League).”
Johansson admitted: “We have a situation which was unforeseen. Consequently we have to make a decision about the future and then deal with Liverpool. But I think the champions – as in all other sports – have the chance to defend their title.”
