Fairplay to Liverpool - Liverpool should play in the Champions League next season

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry insists his club should be allowed to defend their UEFA Champions League crown.

The Premiership have already insisted that their last Champions League place goes to Everton who finished fourth.

Now The Reds are waiting on Uefa, who will need to give the Merseyside club special dispensation if they are to take part in the competition next season.

Asked why Liverpool should defend their trophy, Parry told Sky Sports : "You look at the support we brought, you look at the worldwide audience, which I think they reckon is going to be a record, and you look at the game itself.

"I think we have to be given a shot.

"I think we are worthy champions and I think that's what the world will say."

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has vowed to try and help Liverpool win a place in next season's UEFA Champions League. The Reds could miss out on defending their trophy having missed out on qualification for Europe's premier competition through The Premiership.

Uefa insist they have no plans to change their rules to allow Liverpool in the tournament as it would mean England would have five representatives in the Champions League next term. Barwick remains hopeful that Uefa may have a rethink and insists The FA would keep lobbying Uefa on Liverpool's behalf. "We will continue a dialogue with Uefa, we've been speaking and writing to them for probably the last six to eight weeks and we spotted this situation a little earlier than most," Barwick told Sky Sports News.

"We desperately want a sense of sporting fairness here. Liverpool are European champions and we believe as European champions they should get the opportunity to play in the Champions League next year. "At the moment we believe there is an executive committee meeting in June and we'd like to think this issue gets serious consideration at that meeting and there isn't a decision made in haste before that. "I have real sympathy with Uefa on this. It is a difficult situation, but it was an extraordinary match and it has thrown up an extraordinary issue and needs an extraordinary solution.

"In August when The Premiership started 20 teams had as part of a target a place in the top four to guarantee Champions League qualification and we believed that shouldn't and couldn't be undermined in April and May so the top four are our choices for the Champions League, but we believe the champions of Europe should play in the champions' competition next year. "It's a Uefa competition not our competition and I am sure Uefa will look at this in the future and ensure no holes or cracks in the format, but there's an immediate issue to look at and we're imploring them to look very favourably on Liverpool's inclusion in next year's Champions League. "We're hopeful they are football people and understand football issues. "We do know in the middle of June there is an executive meeting and would like to think that's when a decision will be made."

Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool should be given the chance to defend their UEFA Champions League crown. The Reds lifted the European Cup on Wednesday night following a thrilling shoot-out win over Milan after coming from three down to send the game into extra-time.

Liverpool may not be allowed to enter the competition as only four clubs from one country can participate in the tournament. Everton are England's fourth participant next season joining Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in the Champions League. "I think my opinion is the same opinion of all the people," said Benitez. "The Champions must defend the title for sure. "I was thinking if you go to play European Super Cup and if you go and play in the Intercontinental Cup and you are not playing in the Champions League, it's not common sense.

"They must hear the people and must use their common sense." Meanwhile, the Spanish tactician believes captain Steve Gerrard will commit his future to the Merseysiders following their night of glory in Istanbul.

Gerrard's future has been the source of much speculation over recent times with many feeling he may be primed for a move away from Anfield. However, Benitez is now of the belief that lifting the European Cup will settle any lingering thoughts he may have in his mind. "We haven't talked a lot, but only about how we feel," he added. "He says he wants to win more trophies and I'm sure he will stay with us because we need good players with heart and passion and he's one of them."

Uefa director of communications William Gaillard has told Sky Sports News that there are no plans at present to consider allowing Liverpool to defend the UEFA Champions League. Rafa Benitez's side stunned the football world by recovering from a three-goal half time deficit to force extra time in Istanbul before Jerzy Dudek was the hero of a penalty shoot-out. The sensational win against Milan means Liverpool will be allowed to keep the trophy but doubts persist over whether the club will be allowed in next season's competition after finishing in fifth spot in The Premiership.

"We set the rule a long time ago that said that a national association could have no more than four clubs in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and in the Champions League itself," Gaillard told Sky Sports News. "The rule was used already once with Real Madrid, which replaced the fourth-placed team after not qualifying for the next year's competition and Real Zaragoza went into the Uefa Cup. "So this option was left open to the English Football Association. "I don't make the rules, this is the rule that we have. Fifa made the rule that the defending world champion doesn't automatically qualify for the World Cup so what if Brazil aren't there? "I understand the feeling, I've got tremendous sympathy for the Liverpool fans, they are wonderful people but the rule is there and I can do nothing to change it.

"At the same time, Liverpool has now qualified for the first World Club Cup next December in Japan, that should be a nice consolation as they can become world champions. "One can never say never. It is not our plan to be discussed; there could be a discussion in the Uefa committee over whether the rule is a good one and, in the future, should it still be there? The tradition usually is that we don't change rules in the middle of a competition. "I have no opinion about it but the opposition is clear on that. The rule is the rule and Liverpool will play in the Uefa Cup next year. Europe's governing body are awaiting an appeal on the Anfield club's behalf and a decision is expected on June 17 when the Uefa executive committee are due to meet in Manchester. "I think we have to be given a shot," Reds chief executive Rick Parry told Sky Sports after the events in Turkey.

Minister for Sport Richard Caborn has backed Liverpool's bid to retain the UEFA Champions League and called on Malcolm Glazer to reveal his plans for Manchester United. In a frank interview with /Sky Sports News/, Caborn admitted he has already spoken to Uefa officials about the possibility of changing their rules to allow Liverpool to enter the competition again next season as holders. After a thrilling victory against Milan, the MP believes it is only right that Rafa Benitez should attempt to lead his side to similar success next term. "I think it's very harsh," said Caborn. "The rules are there to conduct what is clearly a very good Champions League but I think, equally, and this is what I said to Uefa last night, that they ought to revisit that and see whether there is a case for the winners of the championship. "As we saw last night, it would not be good for football and for Uefa if the champions weren't there to defend their title.

"I think most people would say that. If it means a change in the rules, not just for Liverpool, but generally, I think most people see that as common sense and everybody wants to see Liverpool defend it. "It's not just a banner of Liverpool, it's a banner of Uefa and for the good of European football. The approach is common sense and that's what I expressed to the officials last night that they did reconsider to allow Liverpool to defend the cup next year as of right. I hope they will take that on board. "Can I also say I think the Turkish authorities did a first class job and I want to congratulate the Liverpool fans as well for the way they conducted themselves." Caborn also offered his opinion on Glazer's controversial takeover of Manchester United as the enigmatic American continues to remain silent on the matter.

Despite being quizzed by /Sky News/ on a couple of occasions this week, the tycoon has limited himself to a wide grin without conveying any comment on the buy-out of the 1999 Champions League winners. "Obviously there is not much option but to do that," he said on the United board's decision to recommend the existing shareholders sell their stake to Glazer. "What I've called on Mr Glazer to do is to open up talks and discussions with the club, staff and obviously the fans, and football itself. "There are some concerns in football about what Glazer is wanting to do with his investment in Manchester United.

The quicker he opens discussions, the better. Let's get the concerns on the table. "I'm sure Mr Glazer is wanting to make sure Manchester United continue to be one of the most successful and famous football clubs in the world. But the quicker he does get around the table with those with a vested interest, the better it will be for all. "I think Manchester United and English football is very, very important to our nation."

bbc - "We have won the trophy. It is common sense that the winner should defend the title," said Benitez.

bbc - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "Yes, I think they should be allowed to defend the title."

bbc - And Reds skipper Steven Gerrard added: "It is called the Champions League so the champions should be able to defend it."

bbc - Meanwhile, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has also made his own plea to Uefa: "Look at the support, the worldwide audience and the game. "I think we have to be given a shot. We are worthy champions and I think that's what the world will say."

bbc - FA chief executive Brian Barwick said: "It's an exceptional situation, that follows an exceptional match and which we believe requires an exceptional solution.