Heinze in limbo as FA block Liverpool move

Aug 22 2007 by Simon Stone, Liverpool Daily Post

GABRIEL HEINZE could be left in footballing limbo if he decides to appeal against the Premier League’s decision not to allow him to quit Manchester United for Liverpool.

A three-man panel decided United were right to block Heinze’s dream move to Anfield, ruling a letter, signed by Red Devils chief executive David Gill, confirming the fee at which the Argentina defender’s current club would be willing to sell brought neither an obligation for a sale or superseded his present contract, which still has two years to run.

Heinze is now considering his options but an appeal is expected sometime today as the 29-year-old has his heart set on becoming the first United play to join Liverpool since Phil Chisnall in 1964.

Yet, having antagonised the Old Trafford outfit with his conduct already, Heinze is playing a dangerous game as United will have 14 days to respond to any appeal.

In effect, it means should Heinze challenge the verdict, United can stall long enough to ensure the £6million capture from Paris St Germain does not leave at all before the August 31 transfer deadline.

Certainly, given their implacable stance to a deal involving Liverpool, United are hardly likely to do anything which could facilitate such a move.

Instead, it seems they will attempt to get Heinze’s representatives to consider letting the player move somewhere else, with French champions Lyon currently the most likely option.

Given the current situation, it is impossible to imagine Heinze ever playing for the Old Trafford outfit again, with supporters lining up to condemn him for what they see as a virtual act of footballing treason.

Liverpool too may have reason to be slightly unhappy with the player given it now appears they had little hope of signing him judging by the strength of the Premier League verdict.

United always maintained the letter was written in such a way to make it obvious any sale would involve an overseas club, while Heinze’s agent was informed verbally in no uncertain manner that the Red Devils would not negotiate with a major domestic rival. It was a stance the Premier League endorsed without hesitation.

A statement issued by the three-man panel read: “The hearing concluded that nature and intention of the disputed June 13 2007 letter, especially when taken in context of verbal discussions and Manchester United FC’s transfer policy, was unambiguous in that it envisages only an international transfer.

“Furthermore the hearing finds the letter constitutes an ‘agreement to agree’, and did not create an obligation or binding agreement for the club to transfer the player to any particular club.

“In other words the letter is evidence of an intention to negotiate, both between the parties and with potential buying clubs, and not evidence of any intention to create legal relations.”

Meanwhile, former Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia, who left the club to join Atletico Madrid over the summer, has expressed his thanks to the Anfield club’s supporters.

He said: “Taking the decision to change clubs hasn’t been easy. Not easy at all.

“I’ve experienced three fantastic years at Liverpool and in the city.

“Three years in which together, the fans and the team, we have accomplished some fantastic achievements, and I’m sure that these successes will continue to be repeated in the near future.

“Liverpool gave me the opportunity to be part of an ambitious plan to put them back at the summit of the game.

“I think that together we managed to achieve that.”

Garcia added: “Your support allowed me to settle quickly at both the club and in the city, and you made me feel really at ease with you all right from the word go.

“That’s the kind of help that you notice most of all during the difficult times, of which there have been a few during my time here.”

Garcia’s message, which is in the form of a personal letter to Liverpool fans, can be read in full on the club’s website.