Hearty congratulations to Liverpool FC on their victory against AC Milan in the European Cup Final! And how they performed. With a Finnish centre-back, a German midfielder and a wondrous Polish goalkeeper, they thrilled an entire continent with one of the most astonishing comebacks of all time.

There is surely no greater symbol of what can be achieved when Europeans work together than the sight of Steven Gerrard and Rafa Benitez holding the Cup aloft as they stepped off the plane in Liverpool.

However, there is now some controversy over Liverpool's future in the tournament. UEFA's rules don't currently allow the winning team to defend its title in the following year unless that team has qualified for the tournament via its own domestic league. This has never been a problem before, but it generates an awkward situation with Liverpool, who finished fifth in the English Premiership, just outside of the qualification zone.

The signs are that UEFA will consider changing their rules to correct this anomaly. I've tabled a written declaration in the European Parliament encouraging them to do so. Obviously, this is an area in which the EU has no influence, but there seems to be a groundswell of opinion and every little helps…