[EN] Premier League 2004/05 (19 Viewers)

Chxta

Onye kwe, Chi ya ekwe
Nov 1, 2004
12,088
Let's be honest: if you took all the tramps, wastrels and bums that
loiter around Soho Square, sponged down their Tin-stained suits, and
gave them high-paying jobs at the FA, their decision-making couldn't
be much worse than the current lot. And they might end up with less
egg and/or secretaries on their faces too.

Exhibit of FA incompetence No32371: having decreed yesterday that
Liverpool must finish fourth to qualify for next year's tournament,
they forgot this contradicted a statement on their own website from
March 10 2004. "Should Arsenal or Chelsea win [Big Cup], they will
automatically qualify for next season's competition, but England will
not gain an extra [Big Cup] place, even if they finish outside of the
top four in the Premiership," it read. "In that scenario, the
fourth-placed team in the Premiership will play in next season's Euro
Vase."

Not surprisingly, the page was hastily removed by a Monster
Munch-eating FA techie (although thanks to the marvels of google it
can be viewed here:
http://64.233.161.104/u/football?q=...ontactUs/Postings/2004/03/European_Places.htm).
Meanwhile, when contacted by the Fiver at 11am this morning, the FA
said it would shortly be making a statement. Five hours later, we're
still waiting.

Of course when it comes to bureaucratic bungling, Uefa isn't much
better. For article 1.03 of their Big Cup regulations seems to
suggest that Liverpool could be entitled to play in next season's
competition if they beat AC Milan and finish fifth or sixth in the
Premiership. Or at least the Fiver thinks it does.

It reads: "At the request of the national association concerned, [Big
Cup] title-holders may be entered for this competition, as an
additional representative of that association, if they have not
qualified for [Big Cup] via the top domestic league championship.

"If, in such a case, the title-holders come from an association
entitled to enter four teams for Big Cup, the fourth-placed club in
the top domestic league championship has to be entered for [Euro
Vase]."

Admittedly, Uefa's wording is nearly as woolly as a row of sheep at a
Liberal Democrat party conference, but you can imagine Liverpool's
lawyers having a field day. "This could open a real can of worms,"
one legal expert told the Fiver, something we would venture to
suggest happened a long time ago.
From The Guardian Unlimited's Fiver
 

gray

Senior Member
Moderator
Apr 22, 2003
30,260
++ [ originally posted by jaecole ] ++
Do anything? Depends on their draw. They could sneak a second in the group stages.
Group stages? Remember they have to get through the qualifying rounds first. In all honesty, I think they'd get knocked out by a team like Udinese.
 

Henry

Senior Member
Sep 30, 2003
5,517
everton are up 2-0 against newcastle, which means a draw or a loss by liverpool tomorrow and bolton today against portsmouth will guarrantee the toffees their CL place. hate to say but they deserve it, even if Liverpool are still a much better team in Europe than they ever will be
 

Chxta

Onye kwe, Chi ya ekwe
Nov 1, 2004
12,088
Roman Abramovich broke his self-imposed silence to celebrate Chelsea' first title in 50 years by pledging his long-term commitment to the club - and vowing to make them the biggest in the world.

Cynics have questioned how long Abramovich, who has pumped well over £300 million into the club, will stay - and what financial position they would be in if he left.

However, the Russian billionaire declared: 'I view this championship as just the beginning of a new era for Chelsea and would like to reiterate my long-term commitment to the club.

'Much has been said about the financial outlay over the past two years. However, this must be seen in the context of placing Chelsea on a level playing field with the other top clubs in England and Europe for a sustained period.

'We have made solid investments on the field in players, management, training facilities and an academy that will nurture the next generation of home-grown talent.

'Off the field, a team of executives and senior managers has been put together to grow the business and capitalise on the playing success.

'All of this is a deliberate, long-term strategy with the aim of building the most successful football club in the world in the next 10 years and beyond.

'Under chairman Bruce Buck, chief executive Peter Kenyon and Jose Mourinho, we have a strong leadership team that shares my vision.'

Abramovich has hardly made any public comments since buying Chelsea from Ken Bates just under two years ago.

But he took the opportunity of the club's title celebrations to write a column in the programme for today's match against Charlton.

'I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the board of directors, Peter Kenyon, Jose Mourinho, John Terry, the staff and, especially, the players on bringing the title to Stamford Bridge,' he said.

'Winning the league this year is especially moving as it comes on the 50th anniversary of Chelsea's last title and at the beginning of the club's centenary year celebrations.

'I would especially like to congratulate the fans. You have waited patiently and this victory has only been possible thanks to your support. I am very honoured to share in your joy.

'My heart also goes out to the long-term supporters who did not live to see Chelsea reach the pinnacle of English football once again, and I would like to dedicate this trophy to them.

'Fifty years is much too long to wait - and I am confident that we will not have to wait that long again.'
 

peckface

approaching curve
Oct 3, 2004
2,357
++ [ originally posted by gray ] ++

Didn't Norwich already secure their EPL place yesterday?
Na one round to go and the table:

Portsmouth 39
17 Norwich 33
------
18 Southampton 32
19 Palace 32
20 West Brom 31

... Looks like that.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 19)