Liverpool decision could come soon
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-08 08:11

UEFA could bring forward a decision on whether to allow Liverpool to defend its Champions League title next season.

Tennis player Martina Navratilova of the U.S. poses with the Champions League trophy at the Liverpool FC museum in Liverpool June 7, 2005. Navratilova was there to promote the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament. [Reuters]

The executive committee of UEFA, Europe's governing soccer body, is scheduled to meet on June 17, but UEFA president Lennart Johansson said Tuesday he was taking up the issue with members immediately.

"They are to decide today on which date, and at what time, they are going to have a telephone conference. They will look at which alternatives are available," Johansson told British Broadcasting Corp. radio.

Liverpool beat AC Milan on penalties May 25 -- coming back from a 3-0 halftime deficit -- to win Europe's top prize for the first time since 1984.

But Liverpool finished fifth in the English Premier League. Only the top four teams -- Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton -- qualified for the Champions League.

Johansson repeated his view that Liverpool should be given a place in the qualifying rounds, not the group stage.

"In my opinion Liverpool should be in from the very beginning," he said. "They will have to go through all the competition."

Everton has expressed concern its share of lucrative TV revenues would be affected by Liverpool getting an automatic group place.

"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," Johansson said.

"I trust it will be a decision which will be accepted by all parties."

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