We were expected to be handed England’s third UEFA Cup place after Liverpool’s inclusion in the Champions League but UEFA, who, ironically, are meeting at City’s stadium, have in fact taken that place from England.
I’m not that fussed about playing in Europe next season as some would see it as going in through the back door, as we did last time in 2003, and we almost got ourselves relegated.
However, we’re just as worthy as anyone else who might get in – more so in fact – and if you consider the circumstances that have led to us missing out, you might understand why I’m asking for action at COMS tomorrow.
At the same time as the Excom decided to give Liverpool the thumbs up – in a teleconference on June 10 - they also agreed to cut four teams from the UEFA Cup - one English, one Russian and two Kazakhstani.
And if this remains the case then it would be an outrage.
The English, Spanish and Italian leagues each have 7 European spots, based mainly on their representatives’ previous performance in Europe.
Well let’s have a look at last season’s semi-finalists shall we. England, Italy and Holland had 2 each, with Portuguese and Russian sides making up the numbers – no sign of Spain. And then English and Russian sides went on to win (Liverpool-CL & CSKA Moscow-UC).
Therefore, how Spain holds onto all 7 places and why England and Russia must lose one, I don’t know.
Naturally the Russian and Kazakhstan FAs are outraged, especially because, coincidentally, their Excom rep is thought to have been absent from last week's vote. They have complained and are lobbying for a reversal, while UEFA are being criticised for dealing unfairly with national associations outside the north-west European hierarchy.
The FA and the Premier League should follow suit. The PL have responded by “asking the FA to formally re-nominate Bolton, Middlesbrough and Manchester City in the 3 UEFA Cup places allocated”, but the clubs now think the FA is dragging its heels.
Also, Liverpool have been nominated for the CL by UEFA, not the PL/FA - they are not a national representative, so again, why should we lose one spot.
There has been some pleas on our messageboard for action at the COMS tomorrow and I agree. We need to make FA rep Geoff Thompson and the Excom give us a fair hearing. And if it’s not done tomorrow, it will probably be too late.