Rule exemption allows Lions to make debut in Europe
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."No one likes us and we don't care," may be Millwall's song but it won't apply to the authorities at Uefa as the Lions are virtually certain of being cleared to make their debut in Europe next season.
The Londoners will play in next month's FA Cup final against Manchester United and were thought - win or lose - to be guaranteed a place in the Uefa Cup because Sir Alex Ferguson's side will feature in the Champions' League. However, when their player-manager Dennis Wise revealed after their 1-0 semi-final win over Sunderland that he had no coaching qualifications, it emerged that Millwall might be barred from Europe on those grounds.
Respite came when the FA revealed that a Uefa exemption should let the Lions loose on the continent's finest for the first time in the club's 119-year history.
Uefa are bringing in new licencing laws covering all aspects - from stadium quality to financial stability - of a club that wishes to participate in either the Champions' League or Uefa Cup, but these new rules take effect from next season. So without a precedent the uncertainty has arisen, but an FA spokesman said: "There are [Uefa] provisions for a club not in their own top league to have some sort of exemption. We are in the process of clarifying with Uefa exactly what the case will be with Millwall. Because these licences haven't come into play yet we need clarification from Uefa as to how they will apply to clubs below the top league." And the Millwall press officer Deano Standing confirmed they are confident they will be in the draw in August. He said: "Strictly speaking this is true but it is a storm in a tea cup, or a Uefa Cup if you like.
"This is not going to be a problem. By the time we play in Europe Ray Wilkins [the club's first-team coach] will have the qualifications and Dennis will be on his way too. I'm told that Alex Ferguson doesn't even hold the A badge but he's still OK." The standards that managers have to abide by from next season for Uefa competitions are either a Uefa 'A' coaching licence or the highest available coaching qualification in their own country.
The FA spokesman added that if Sunderland, a First Division club like Millwall, had prevailed, "it would not have been a problem." That, though, is because the club has hosted an England European Championship qualifier and their manager, Mick McCarthy, was in charge of the Republic of Ireland team at the last World Cup. McCarthy's counterpart on Sunday was Wise, who has only been in charge at The Den since last October. Since then he has guided the club to the play-off zone and to its first FA Cup final.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments