Porto drama gets new twist (Updated 28/6)
June 28th 2008 15:29
The controversy that always seems ready to be resolved but never quite dies has taken one more gasp of air - Benfica have appealed Porto's inclusion in the 2008/09 Champions League to the Court for Arbitration of Sport. The international sporting body received the appeal from Benfica, who stand to participate in the Champions League if Porto are excluded, just a short time before announcing it. Thus, no details were released other than the fact that the decision has been appealed. Expect more information shortly about exactly what the CAS can and might do and how it will affect the Champions League competition for next year.
Update 28/6:
I promised you more details about this chaotic situation, and here they are. Not just Benfica, but Vitoria Guimaraes as well have appealed UEFA's decision on Porto's participation in the Champions League to the Court for Arbitration of Sport, asking for a decision by the last day of July. This date is important as the draw for the Third Qualifying Round will take place on August 1st. The Champions League entrants will have to be set by that date, and should Benfica and Vitoria fail to get a response by then, any decisions that are made will not be likely to affect the coming season of Champions League play. All of this leaves the CAS scrambling not only to hear the case, but also to decide whether or not they even have the time to do so before the August deadline.
We're just two days away from the preliminary draw for the 2008/09 Champions League. When UEFA meet in Nyon on Monday, they'll pick the match-ups and dates for the First and Second Qualifying Rounds. This makes it almost certain that Champions League qualifying play will start with this issue still unresolved.
I'll keep posting as much info as I can find about this case and all of the other action as the Champions League nears its kick-off on 30 June.
Update 28/6:
I promised you more details about this chaotic situation, and here they are. Not just Benfica, but Vitoria Guimaraes as well have appealed UEFA's decision on Porto's participation in the Champions League to the Court for Arbitration of Sport, asking for a decision by the last day of July. This date is important as the draw for the Third Qualifying Round will take place on August 1st. The Champions League entrants will have to be set by that date, and should Benfica and Vitoria fail to get a response by then, any decisions that are made will not be likely to affect the coming season of Champions League play. All of this leaves the CAS scrambling not only to hear the case, but also to decide whether or not they even have the time to do so before the August deadline.
We're just two days away from the preliminary draw for the 2008/09 Champions League. When UEFA meet in Nyon on Monday, they'll pick the match-ups and dates for the First and Second Qualifying Rounds. This makes it almost certain that Champions League qualifying play will start with this issue still unresolved.
I'll keep posting as much info as I can find about this case and all of the other action as the Champions League nears its kick-off on 30 June.
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