UEFA to repeat Champions League draw after shocking ‘error’ (VIDEO)

UEFA will repeat the draw for the Champions League last 16 after a mistake involving Manchester United, who ended up being paired with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
The initial draw in Switzerland on Monday, which was conducted in part by Russian icon Andrey Arshavin, had appeared to set up a mouthwatering chapter in the never-ending Messi vs. Ronaldo saga – but football fans look set to miss out on seeing the two dominant forces in world football renew their rivalry after UEFA made the call to repeat the entire draw following protests from several of the involved teams.

        <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It definitely looks like <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mufc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mufc</a>’s ball - in the second pot from the right, back row - was not included in the Atletico Madrid draw. <a href="https://t.co/ubxQHdjkQV">pic.twitter.com/ubxQHdjkQV</a></p>&mdash; Mark Critchley (@mjcritchley) <a href="https://twitter.com/mjcritchley/status/1470356868438573063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2021</a></blockquote> 


        <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The good thing for UEFA is that a ball hasn't been kicked yet in the Round of 16 and fans won't have booked any travel, so re-do the draw and do it properly next time...</p>&mdash; Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkOgden_/status/1470365657938206720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2021</a></blockquote> 


        <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨⚽️ | NEW: UEFA have said that “there is a possibility” that the Champions League draw could be redrawn <br><br>Via <a href="https://twitter.com/gerardromero?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gerardromero</a></p>&mdash; Football For All (@FootballlForAll) <a href="https://twitter.com/FootballlForAll/status/1470366022297337857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2021</a></blockquote> 

The events which led to the decision occurred as such: Manchester United were initially drawn alongside La Liga outfit Villarreal but UEFA rules dictate that teams who played one another in the group stage cannot meet in the round of 16 – with that tie going instead to Manchester City moments later.

But then came the moment which has caused controversy. Atletico Madrid were were drawn from the unseeded bowl – but Manchester United’s ball did not seem to be placed back into the pot, meaning that it was impossible for them to have been drawn against Atletico, and that not all of the teams in the pot had the equal opportunity to be drawn against other eligible teams. 

        <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Issue for UEFA is that the whole thing was played out live on camera. To allow the draw to stand when it was clearly flawed -- a genuine mistake, but flawed -- would impact the integrity of the competition</p>&mdash; Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkOgden_/status/1470362799943700481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2021</a></blockquote> 

United’s ire was compounded moments later when they were handed a tricky tie against Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain, and due to the ensuing drama speculation quickly rose that the draw may be repeated – something which was later confirmed by UEFA.

According to ESPN’s Alex Shaw, Atletico Madrid discussed the situation with UEFA, with European football’s governing body debating internally if the draw could proceed as it stands – with the formal decision for a do-over coming soon after.

The decision is sure to have caused consternation for at least some of the teams within the draw. Per reporter Guillem Balague, Villarreal (who were drawn against Man City) had petitioned UEFA for a full redraw while Real Madrid, who were paired with Benfica, had asked for any redraw to begin after their ball was picked.

https://ift.tt/2hpq7SJ 13, 2021 at 06:06PM
from RT – Daily news