AZ want Ajax’s place in Champions League group phase

AZ Alkmaar have written to UEFA as they need the governing physique to overturn the Dutch soccer affiliation’s (KNVB) determination to award Ajax Amsterdam the nation’s sole automated berth within the group section of subsequent season’s Champions League.

When the KNVB cancelled the remainder of the Dutch season, after it had been suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ajax had been main AZ within the standings on objective distinction.

That prompted the KNVB to award Ajax the automated Champions League spot usually reserved for the Dutch champions, whereas AZ must attempt to qualify for a profitable spot by the preliminary knockout rounds.

The Netherlands is certainly one of a handful of European international locations to abort the remainder of the season after the nation went into lockdown because of the pandemic. As a outcome, no title was awarded and no crew was relegated.

AZ consider they need to have been made the highest positioned crew as that they had overwhelmed Ajax each residence and away within the league this season.

“Goal difference is no objective differentiator,” the membership wrote to UEFA, a number of media reported.

But the KNVB mentioned it didn’t plan to alter its determination.

“UEFA has informed the KNVB and referred AZ to us,” KNVB spokesman Jaap Paulsen mentioned on Monday.

“We have informed AZ that nothing has changed. We decided the places in European club competition next season on the basis of three criteria: transparency, objectivity and sportsmanship. We are keeping the rankings and Ajax is number one.”