Real want duo cleared for Europe (WTF???)

[Craig_H]

I think it was the Spanish League who decided that Real should be one of their 4 representatives as CL winners - the PL had already stated that the top 4 in the league would be the English representatives in the CL irrespective of Liverpool winning the competiton - so in fact the rules were changed.

Hold on, in Madrid's case, the team who finished 5th but won the CL qualified for it again.

In our case, the team who finished 5th but won the CL qualified for it again.


Regardless of whose decision it was, the fact is that a precedent was previously set and followed.

The FA 'deciding' isnt 'the rules', it's just the FA deciding.

Sorry, I was just speculating.

They will be tight games and you could present a strong argument for each player, but I just think they should have enough cover up front and the key (for them) will be to win the midfield battle v Xabi/Mascher/Gerrard.

I agree, i'd rather they registered Huntelaar and left out Diarra.

[Kenneth]

I think it was the Spanish League who decided that Real should be one of their 4 representatives as CL winners - the PL had already stated that the top 4 in the league would be the English representatives in the CL irrespective of Liverpool winning the competiton - so in fact the rules were changed.

Tis true.

[CincyRed]

I think it was the Spanish League who decided that Real should be one of their 4 representatives as CL winners - the PL had already stated that the top 4 in the league would be the English representatives in the CL irrespective of Liverpool winning the competiton - so in fact the rules were changed.

Aye its true that it was the FA's decision, but they didnt come out an say that until just before the end of the season.

But the real wrinkle is that there was a page on the FA website that addressed this issue. It was a couple of years old at the time, but it gave the example that if Arsenal won the CL and Chelsea came in fourth, Arsenal would be put into the CL over the chavs. I personally read that page on the FA site.

And UEFA, after the FA back tracked on the issue and awarded the spot to the bitters (i love how they went straight out in CL 3rd qualy and then UEFA cup qualy, btw), thought it was untenable that the holders wouldnt be in and awarded us a spot.

And there was never even a mention of CAS.

[Craig_H]

Aye its true that it was the FA's decision, but they didnt come out an say that until just before the end of the season.

But the real wrinkle is that there was a page on the FA website that addressed this issue. It was a couple of years old at the time, but it gave the example that if Arsenal won the CL and Chelsea came in fourth, Arsenal would be put into the CL over the chavs. I personally read that page on the FA site.

And UEFA, after the FA back tracked on the issue and awarded the spot to the bitters (i love how they went straight out in CL 3rd qualy and then UEFA cup qualy, btw), thought it was untenable that the holders wouldnt be in and awarded us a spot.

And there was never even a mention of CAS.

I remember reading that page on the FA's website too, you're spot on.

[dww]

Real pick Diarra over Huntelaar for Champions League

* Reuters, Monday February 2 2009

MADRID, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Real Madrid have decided midfielder Lassana Diarra will play in the Champions League knockout stages and not striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, UEFA said on Monday following Sunday's deadline for registrations.
The Spanish champions were forced to choose between the two new signings because of UEFA rules that state only one player can be registered who has already played in a UEFA competition with another club this season.
They initially said they would fight the ruling in court but backed down last week.
A Real spokeswoman declined to comment on the decision.
Real, who face Liverpool in the Champions League last 16, had argued that the rule was discriminatory, pointing to players who can play in two European competitions when their clubs drop from the Champions League into the UEFA Cup.
But they scrapped their legal challenge following a meeting last week between the club's new president Vicente Boluda and UEFA chief Michel Platini.
Netherlands striker Huntelaar and France midfielder Diarra have already played in the UEFA Cup this season for Ajax Amsterdam and Portsmouth respectively.
Real host Liverpool at the Bernabeu on Feb. 25 and visit Anfield on March 10. (Additional reporting by Mark Ledsom) (Reporting by Iain Rogers; Editing by Sonia Oxley)