Heinze denied switch to Liverpool

LONDON, England -- Gabriel Heinze has lost his appeal to the Premier League to be allowed to move from Manchester United to Liverpool.

The Argentina international defender had wanted to switch between the north-west of England arch rivals, claiming that he had letter from United chief executive David Gill which set a price at which the club had to listen to offers.

But the two-day Premier League board meeting ruled that the letter did not constitute a definitive underataking from United to sell the player.

Heinz had argued that once Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had matched the stated figure of 6.8 million pounds ($13.47 million), which was the case, he should be allowed to depart Old Trafford for Anfield.

"The hearing concluded that nature and intention of the disputed 13 June 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," a Premier League statement said.

"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."

The attempted move was strongly resisted by Premier League champions United, with manager Alex Ferguson repeatedly stating that Heinze would not be going to Liverpool.

The 29-year-old, who has lost his regular place in the starting line up to Patrick Evra, would have been the first player to move between the clubs since Phil Chisnal in 1962.

"The Premier League Board appointed panel have heard submissions of evidence from both parties and has ruled to dismiss the player's case," said a Premier League statement on Tuesday.

The decision has delighted United, who were represented by both manager Ferguson and chief executive Gill at the hearing in London.

Heinze, who joined United from Paris St Germain in 2004 for 6.9 million pounds, does have the right to appeal to the Premier League appeals committee, which is made up of an independent, legally-qualified chairman, a member of the Premier League panel and a PFA appointee. E-mail to a friend