Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Everton's off-field adversary
As an old Evertonian I am alarmed to hear that the FA is even considering that Liverpool could gain entry into the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League over and above the team placed 4th in the final UK Premiership ladder, if it wins this year's competition,

I can understand Liverpool FC's predicament, it has big player contracts to honour and the money Champions League Football brings in is probably required to break even. But competition rules are competition rules. You cannot change them simply because you need more money. Liverpool's excuse that it just want the opportunity to defend its title (which hasn't been won yet) is simply a red herring.

For Everton to finish 4th in this years Premiership would be an astounding achievement, considering the money thrown at other clubs. While Chelsea, Arsenal, Man. Utd., Liverpool and half a dozen other clubs are in a league above financially, players and commitment can make a difference on the field.

But this isn't just about money.

If the FA changes its mind (and football results go a certain way) this will be the second time that Everton will have been denied its rightful place in European football by their rivals Liverpool, for off-field reasons.

In 1984-85 season, Everton won the (then) First Division with a record 90 points and then proceeded to waltz over Austrian side Rapid Vienna to win the European Cup Winners Cup. At the time, Everton was arguably the best team in Europe.

But it was never able to prove it on the field. Two weeks later LIVERPOOL fans went on the rampage in Brussels's Heysel Stadium and murdered 39 Juventus supporters. UK clubs were banned from European competition for 5 years.

The next season Everton finished 2nd in the League and also won the FA Cup. The season after that Everton were League Champions again. Yet still the club would be denied European football.

Since then, Everton has struggled, but 2004-05 has seen a revival. But it seems that Liverpool's knives are out for them again.

This time, there should be no denial, no change of policy. The top four teams in the English Premiership should qualify for the UEFA Champion's League, as has happen every year since its conception. Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez should shut his mouth.

Traditionally, any English soccer supporter would be backing another English side in a European final, but this year there will be no Evertonians cheering for Liverpool.

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