Hicks To UEFA: Suck It

Tom Hicks calls UEFA's William Gaillard "a clown" for blaming Liverpool FC fans for the ticketing problems at the Champions League final. Speaking to Sky Sports, Hicks said: "UEFA did not handle this right at all. To give 17,000 tickets to the two teams, particularly knowing Liverpool is going to bring 40,000 fans is insane." Summing Gaillard up, Hicks said: "I think it is a classic case of a bureaucrat trying to take pressure off himself." There may still be some of those in the UK who don't like a "wealthy Texan" owning their team, but mixing it up with Gaillard should win him a few fans.

You'll Never Walk Alone

Blame Dominick, my soon-to-be-expatriated drinking buddy -- I am now a fan of Tom Hicks' only good team: Liverpool FC.

And tomorrow is the big day: the UEFA Champions League Final Match against AC Milan, which you can watch live at the American Airlines Center on the 48 1/2- by 52-foot HDTV starting at 1:45 p.m. (pre-game fun starts at 11 a.m.)

Dominick is one of Dallas' official Liverpool supporters group which includes about 40 diehards, according to Simon Roberts, a wine broker and involved member. He's from Liverpool, having relocated to Dallas about 10 years ago. He said the local chapter was once mostly ex-pats such as himself. Now, the greater majority of local members are actually Americans.

Now, the challenge is this: how to disappear from work for the entire afternoon.