MANCHESTER UNITED AND THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP (No. 3)

Motion Text

That this House notes with concern the decision of the Football Association to excuse Manchester United from participation in the Football Association Challenge Cup competition during the 1999-2000 season in order to participate in a FIFA World Club Championship tournament in South America; believes that the fixture congestion resulting from participation in this short-term tournament bears no comparison with the potential fixture congestion to which all clubs are exposed through participation in the longer-term FA Cup competition and from which Manchester United will be relieved; is concerned that this could well give Manchester United an unfair advantage in the Premier League at the most difficult stage of the 1999-2000 season; and calls upon the Football Association to reverse their decision and to insist that a club of Manchester United's undoubted and exceptional resources of finance and personnel should be able to participate in both tournaments and that if they refuse they should bear the responsibility of failing to represent their continent and their country in the FIFA World Club Championship.