Liverpool can defend Champions League - UEFA
Fri 10 Jun, 11:10 AM
LONDON (Reuters) - Liverpool will be allowed to defend their Champions League trophy, UEFA said on Friday.
Liverpool's failure to finish in the Premier League's top four meant they were not entitled to a place in next season's competition, despite lifting the cup after a penalty shootout win over AC Milan in last month's final.
They will go into the competition's first qualifying round with their opening match on July 12 or 13.
UEFA's executive committee also decided to amend the regulations for future editions of the Champions League, so the holders will have the right to defend their title and therefore qualify automatically.
The thorny problem of Liverpool's presence in next season's competition looked to be a non-issue at halftime in the final in Istanbul as Milan cruised into a 3-0 lead.
But Liverpool's stunning three-goal blitz in six minutes turned the game on its head and a goalless period of extra time was followed by the English side's 3-2 victory in a penalty shootout.
Liverpool's fifth European Cup provided a glorious end to what had been a frustrating domestic season.
But it meant a real headache for European soccer's ruling body and its regulation of a maximum of four teams per country.
England's Football Association had already made it clear that it would not follow a Spanish precedent by putting Liverpool forward at the expense of the Premier League's fourth-placed finishers, Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton.
Real Madrid were crowned European champions in 2000 but finished fifth in the Primera Liga, prompting the Spanish FA to enter them for the following season's Champions League and relegate fourth-placed Real Zaragoza to the UEFA Cup.
Damn damn damn