Kevin LustigPorto to feature in 2008/09 Champions League (Updated 18/6)
June 18th 2008 17:37
UEFA announced today that FC Porto are assured of a place in next season's Champions League. The investigation into the bribery activity that cost them 6 points in last season's SuperLiga standings will continue. However, any sanctions that result from that investigation will apply to a later season of European club competitions.
The announcement puts an end to speculation over Porto's participation in Europe's top league next season. The Portuguese club were originally banned from the Champions League due to the domestic bribery penalty, but that decision was overturned on appeal. The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Board will rehear Porto's case, but it does not have the time to do so before the final list of Champions League participants must be confirmed. Thus, whatever decision the board ultimately comes to will affect the next season of Champions League or UEFA Cup play that Porto qualifies for.
The final Portuguese entries for the Champions League will be:
Group stage: FC Porto
Group stage: Sporting
Third qualifying round: Vitoria Guimaraes
Update 18/6: According to a spokesman for UEFA, the continued review of Porto's match-fixing behavior in fact depends on the Portuguese SuperLiga, and may not go ahead after all. A UEFA review of the case found that the Portuguese league did not properly pursue the original case that led to Porto's six-point deduction in the domestic table, specifically because they did not hear evidence from fellow Portuguese clubs Benfica and Vitoria. In order for UEFA to rehear the case, according to the details of the decision by the appeals board that saw Porto's original Champions League ban overturned, Portuguese officials must first review their original decision with new evidence from the other clubs.
At the time of UEFA's announcement, they were unaware of the Portuguese authorities' intentions. However, subsequently, a spokesman for the Portuguese league has stated that the league has no intention of reviewing Porto's case. Once the lines of communication between Portugal and UEFA are cleared, expect more clarification on the path ahead. However, for the time being, it appears as though there is a firm chance that Porto will not receive any penalty on the European level for their match-fixing conviction now or in the future, a result that is reminiscent of AC Milan's reinstatement to the Champions League in the 2006/07 season. In that case, a reluctant UEFA found their hands tied by technicalities on the level of the Italian league, forcing them to allow AC Milan back into the tournament.
The announcement puts an end to speculation over Porto's participation in Europe's top league next season. The Portuguese club were originally banned from the Champions League due to the domestic bribery penalty, but that decision was overturned on appeal. The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Board will rehear Porto's case, but it does not have the time to do so before the final list of Champions League participants must be confirmed. Thus, whatever decision the board ultimately comes to will affect the next season of Champions League or UEFA Cup play that Porto qualifies for.
The final Portuguese entries for the Champions League will be:
Group stage: FC Porto
Group stage: Sporting
Third qualifying round: Vitoria Guimaraes
Update 18/6: According to a spokesman for UEFA, the continued review of Porto's match-fixing behavior in fact depends on the Portuguese SuperLiga, and may not go ahead after all. A UEFA review of the case found that the Portuguese league did not properly pursue the original case that led to Porto's six-point deduction in the domestic table, specifically because they did not hear evidence from fellow Portuguese clubs Benfica and Vitoria. In order for UEFA to rehear the case, according to the details of the decision by the appeals board that saw Porto's original Champions League ban overturned, Portuguese officials must first review their original decision with new evidence from the other clubs.
At the time of UEFA's announcement, they were unaware of the Portuguese authorities' intentions. However, subsequently, a spokesman for the Portuguese league has stated that the league has no intention of reviewing Porto's case. Once the lines of communication between Portugal and UEFA are cleared, expect more clarification on the path ahead. However, for the time being, it appears as though there is a firm chance that Porto will not receive any penalty on the European level for their match-fixing conviction now or in the future, a result that is reminiscent of AC Milan's reinstatement to the Champions League in the 2006/07 season. In that case, a reluctant UEFA found their hands tied by technicalities on the level of the Italian league, forcing them to allow AC Milan back into the tournament.
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