The draw has been declared void
UEFA have agreed to repeat the Champions League draw following complaints from a number of clubs.
It appeared that there was an error involving Manchester United’s ball, with the Red Devils originally paired with Villarreal in Monday’s draw.
However, because they had already faced the Spanish side in the group stage, they could not play them again in the next round as a result.
Many viewers on Twitter noted that United’s ball did not appear to be put back in the section pot, as Manchester City were eventually drawn out to face Villarreal.
As a result of what initially occurred, Ralf Rangnick’s side missed out on being a potential opponent for Atletico Madrid and were eventually handed the difficult draw of facing Paris Saint-Germain.
The Independent’s Miguel Delaney stated that early indications from within UEFA suggested that the initial draw will be permitted to stand despite the controversy.
He did later point out that a potential redraw would come down to if any of the affected clubs wished to make a complaint.
It now appears that redoing the draw is a viable options for UEFA following a host of complaints from several teams in the draw.
Spanish journlaist Rodrigo Fáez said: “UEFA is close to agreeing to repeat the draw. Very viable option at this point due to the botch seen before and thanks to the complaints of several teams. We will see if it is confirmed…”
🚨 La UEFA está cerca de acordar la repetición del sorteo. Opción muy viable a estas alturas por la chapuza vista antes y gracias a las quejas de varios equipos. Veremos si se confirma…
— Rodrigo Fáez 🕶🐝 (@RodrigoFaez) December 13, 2021
This was also reported by Guillem Balague, who said: “#RealMadrid will ask @uefa, if they redo the draw, to start after their ball came up (they have Benfica). Mistake was made after that”.
#RealMadrid will ask @uefa, if they redo the draw, to start after their ball came up (they have Benfica). Mistake was made after that
Via @AranchaMOBILE
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) December 13, 2021
Atlético Madrid – who were drawn against Bayern Munich – announced that they were in talks with UEFA to ask for clarity and asked for a solution.
Estamos en conversaciones con UEFA para pedir explicaciones y una solución después de los errores cometidos en el sorteo de octavos de Champions League
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) December 13, 2021
It was later confirmed by UEFA that it would be redrawn, who stated: “As a result of this, the draw has been declared void and will be entirely redone at 1500 CET.”
As a result of this, the draw has been declared void and will be entirely redone at 1500 CET.
— UEFA (@UEFA) December 13, 2021
More to follow…
