10/06/2005

Liverpool will defend Champions League title

Premiership football club Liverpool will be given the chance to defend their Champions League title, after UEFA changed the rules to allow them to compete.

Liverpool beat AC Milan in the Champions League final last month to become European champions. However, they only finished fifth in the Premier League last season, meaning that they did not qualify for a Champions League place next season.

However, UEFA’s Executive Committee decided to amend the current regulations so that the holders would have the chance to defend the title.

The decision means that there will now be five Premiership teams in the Champions League next season. Premiership winners Chelsea and runners-up Arsenal are already guaranteed places in the competition. Manchester United and Everton, who finished third and fourth place respectively, will enter the competition at the third qualifying stage, which begins in August. Liverpool will enter in the first qualifying round of the competition, which begins in July.

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

24 February 2009
Man United Star Robbed Ahead Of Champions League Game
Robbers have targeted the home of Manchester United player Darren Fletcher, just hours after he flew to Italy ahead of the club side's Champions League game. The gang broke into the midfielder's family home in up-market Bowdon, Greater Manchester, at around 9pm on Monday night.
21 May 2008
Reds v Blues In Moscow
The largest country in the world will play host to the clash of two Premierships titans in the Champions League Final. Thousands of Chelsea and Manchester United fans sporting their clubs colours are pouring into Moscow to support their teams in tonight's highly anticipated all-English game.
09 April 2004
Henry hat-trick secures three vital points for Arsenal
Arsenal have bounced back from their disappointing exits from the FA Cup and Champions League to secure three vital points in their hunt for the Premiership title. A Thierry Henry hat-trick took the Gunners to seven points clear at the top of the league today as the north London side dispatched Liverpool 4-2.
20 September 2007
Chelsea Boss Mourinho In Shock Exit
Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho has parted company with the club in a shock departure. The move came after a crisis meeting was held at the London club following a string of mediocre performances from the former Premiership champions, culminating in Tuesday night's disappointing draw against Norwegian team Rosenborg in the Champions League.
18 February 2015
UK Police To Review Footage Of 'Racist' Chelsea Fans In Paris
UK police are reviewing video footage that allegedly shows Chelsea FC fans in Paris stopping a black man from boarding a train. The footage shows the man approaching the train doors however fans blocked him from boarding.