Post by Jimmy the Claret on May 26, 2005 12:41:39 GMT
Welsh champions TNS have offered Liverpool an unlikely opportunity to defend their Champions League title.
TNS chairman Mike Harris says the Reds can take his side's place in the first qualifying round draw if they win a play-off match between the two sides.
"We've an open mind to a pre-qualifier for our position in the Champions League," Harris told BBC Wales Sport.
Liverpool failed to qualify for next season's Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premiership.
The Football Association has confirmed that the top four teams will be entered into next season's competition, and Uefa says it has no plans to give Liverpool special dispensation to defend their title.
But the FA says it will lobby strongly for Liverpool to be entered into the qualifying rounds.
Said FA executive director David Davies: "If they are admitted at an early stage they could play one if not two of the smallest sides in Europe and for those clubs it would be a fantastic prospect in terms of both football and finances to face the European champions."
Welsh Premier champions TNS made their Champions League debut in 2000, losing 6-2 on aggregate to Levadia Maardu of Estonia.
Only Barry Town have managed to progress past the Champions League's first hurdle since the Welsh Premier's inception in 1992/93.
Harris, therefore, believes a high-profile match against Liverpool makes greater financial sense than playing against a European minnow.
"Such a play-off would enjoy huge media coverage," he added. "It would bring the image of our league to the whole of the UK.
"We suffer immensely compared to other nations because we're right next door to the English Premiership which takes all the media and all the cash.
"We as a nation and as [Welsh Premier] clubs are trying to put very stringent Uefa criteria in place in terms of our grounds which needs massive investment.
"Such a game would help us achieve some of our ambitions. And with a bit of luck we might beat them."
Harris said he has not yet contacted Uefa with his proposition, but European football's governing body is unlikely to sanction such a game.
The Football Association of Wales would also have serious concerns over giving up its sole Champions League place.
"Such a game would help us achieve some of our ambitions. And with a bit of luck we might beat them" - TNS owner Mike Harris
(bbc sport) - news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/4582621.stm
TNS chairman Mike Harris says the Reds can take his side's place in the first qualifying round draw if they win a play-off match between the two sides.
"We've an open mind to a pre-qualifier for our position in the Champions League," Harris told BBC Wales Sport.
Liverpool failed to qualify for next season's Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premiership.
The Football Association has confirmed that the top four teams will be entered into next season's competition, and Uefa says it has no plans to give Liverpool special dispensation to defend their title.
But the FA says it will lobby strongly for Liverpool to be entered into the qualifying rounds.
Said FA executive director David Davies: "If they are admitted at an early stage they could play one if not two of the smallest sides in Europe and for those clubs it would be a fantastic prospect in terms of both football and finances to face the European champions."
Welsh Premier champions TNS made their Champions League debut in 2000, losing 6-2 on aggregate to Levadia Maardu of Estonia.
Only Barry Town have managed to progress past the Champions League's first hurdle since the Welsh Premier's inception in 1992/93.
Harris, therefore, believes a high-profile match against Liverpool makes greater financial sense than playing against a European minnow.
"Such a play-off would enjoy huge media coverage," he added. "It would bring the image of our league to the whole of the UK.
"We suffer immensely compared to other nations because we're right next door to the English Premiership which takes all the media and all the cash.
"We as a nation and as [Welsh Premier] clubs are trying to put very stringent Uefa criteria in place in terms of our grounds which needs massive investment.
"Such a game would help us achieve some of our ambitions. And with a bit of luck we might beat them."
Harris said he has not yet contacted Uefa with his proposition, but European football's governing body is unlikely to sanction such a game.
The Football Association of Wales would also have serious concerns over giving up its sole Champions League place.
"Such a game would help us achieve some of our ambitions. And with a bit of luck we might beat them" - TNS owner Mike Harris
(bbc sport) - news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/4582621.stm