Post by Jimmy the Claret on Jan 20, 2005 19:59:40 GMT
Bournemouth's chairman has criticised Liverpool for fielding an under-strength side for their shock FA Cup third round exit at Burnley, thus depriving The Cherries of a money-spinning fourth round tie.
Peter Phillips, who called Liverpool's attitude "an insult to the FA Cup", also said that the FA should do more to protect the prestige of the cup by introducing laws that limit the ability of big clubs to field weakened sides.
"They (Liverpool) are not obliged to play their strongest team in the FA Cup but it's a sad reflection of the modern game," Phillips lamented.
Liverpool's young line-up were beaten at Turf Moor on Tuesday thanks to a bizarre 51st minute own goal by Djimi Traore and, according to Phillips, Rafael Benitez's side did not treat the competition with due respect.
"The real issue is not that Burnley won through, but that Liverpool didn't try hard to win. Their team seemed inadequate, and it seemed they didn't look bothered that they lost. It was an insult to the FA Cup," he said.
"I would like to see the FA bring in some rules to limit the ability of clubs to play weakened teams, although I don't believe it is likely to happen," he added.
The result meant that the cash-strapped League One club - who have survived two winding up orders - were denied the chance to try and emulate arguably their finest hour - the third round victory over holders Manchester United in 1984.
Phillips said that a fourth round tie against a big club would go a long way to securing the £500,000 he estimates it will cost to run the club over the next year.
"The £200,000 that game would have earned us is a big amount of money, which would have helped us but we will survive without it," he said.
source: sky sports news
Peter Phillips, who called Liverpool's attitude "an insult to the FA Cup", also said that the FA should do more to protect the prestige of the cup by introducing laws that limit the ability of big clubs to field weakened sides.
"They (Liverpool) are not obliged to play their strongest team in the FA Cup but it's a sad reflection of the modern game," Phillips lamented.
Liverpool's young line-up were beaten at Turf Moor on Tuesday thanks to a bizarre 51st minute own goal by Djimi Traore and, according to Phillips, Rafael Benitez's side did not treat the competition with due respect.
"The real issue is not that Burnley won through, but that Liverpool didn't try hard to win. Their team seemed inadequate, and it seemed they didn't look bothered that they lost. It was an insult to the FA Cup," he said.
"I would like to see the FA bring in some rules to limit the ability of clubs to play weakened teams, although I don't believe it is likely to happen," he added.
The result meant that the cash-strapped League One club - who have survived two winding up orders - were denied the chance to try and emulate arguably their finest hour - the third round victory over holders Manchester United in 1984.
Phillips said that a fourth round tie against a big club would go a long way to securing the £500,000 he estimates it will cost to run the club over the next year.
"The £200,000 that game would have earned us is a big amount of money, which would have helped us but we will survive without it," he said.
source: sky sports news
