SPORTS

UEFA to redo Champions League last 16 draw after glitch

December 13, 2021

IMAGE: UEFA Champions League Trophy. Photograph: Nicolas Axelrod/Getty Images

The draw for the Champions League last 16 ties will be conducted again after a technical error in the software which advises officials which teams can and cannot be paired together, UEFA said on Monday, declaring the original draw void.

Manchester United were mistakenly drawn with Villarreal, even though both teams faced each other in the group stage while the Premier League side's ball was not added to the bowl as a potential opponent for Atletico Madrid.

 

United were eventually drawn with Paris St Germain while Atletico drew Bayern Munich and the Spanish side had said they were in talks with UEFA seeking "explanations and a solution after the mistakes made" in the draw.

"Following a technical problem with the software of an external service provider that instructs the officials as to which teams are eligible to play each other, a material error occurred in the draw for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16," UEFA said in a statement.

"As a result of this, the draw has been declared void and will be entirely redone at 1500 CET."

The last 16 ties will be played in February and March.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Recommended by Rediff.com

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email