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In an unprecedented flip of occasions, UEFA was compelled to repeat the Champions League spherical of 16 draw after errors emerged within the unique course of. This compelled the European umbrella group to invalidate the outcomes and order a brand new draw three hours later.
That first draw featured eight clashes, together with one between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United during which Lionel Messi would face Cristiano Ronaldo. However this dream match was scratched as a result of bugs UEFA traced again to third-party software program.
Groups from the identical group and the identical nation aren’t allowed to compete towards one another in line with the event guidelines, however the software program apparently didn’t comply.
After a technical downside with the software program of an exterior service supplier instructing the officers as to which groups are eligible to play towards one another, a significant error occurred within the UEFA Champions League spherical of 16 draw. – UEFA
MORE: Champions League new draw winners and losers
The primary mistake was seen on reside TV when Manchester United entered the draw as opponents of Villarreal. Besides that Man United should not have been within the pot from the beginning because the Pink Devils had been in the identical group as Villarreal. When the Man United title was drawn, officers noticed the error and shortly selected one other title: Manchester Metropolis.
However this error led to a different. When it got here time to pick out Atletico Madrid’s opponents for the spherical of 16, Manchester United weren’t within the pot and the Pink Devils had been falsely excluded as a result of they had been “already drawn”. However that was initially a mistake.
If Man Utd’s ball wasn’t within the pot when Atleti drew towards Bayern, then that is an issue for United, Bayern, Atleti and PSG, who all really feel the draw wasn’t honest
– Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) December 13, 2021
Do not see how UEFA can enable this draw. Man Utd was by accident unnoticed of the draw towards Atletico Madrid.
– Raphael Honigstein💙 (@honigstein) December 13, 2021
Manchester United didn’t seem within the Atlético Madrid draw; and Manchester themselves got here out within the Villarreal draw, a cross that might not be given as they shared a gaggle.
Watch out to not point out a doable rerun of the drawing Pic.twitter.com/QsF2wMgPG3
– Sudanalytics (@sudanalytics_) December 13, 2021
The issues led Atletico Madrid to ask UEFA for an evidence “and an answer to the errors made within the Champions League spherical of 16 draw”. The announcement of the brand new draw got here a couple of minutes later.
We’re in talks with UEFA to ask for explanations and an answer after the errors made within the Champions League spherical of 16 draw
– Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) December 13, 2021
One report claimed that Villarreal additionally requested a brand new draw.
#Villarreal additionally agrees that the draw must be repeated and can struggle for it. It clearly impacts the integrity of the competitors
– Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) December 13, 2021
The groups that contacted UEFA in regards to the draw reportedly included Actual Madrid, who wished the draw consequence towards Benfica to face. Los Merengues clearly preferred their unique draw and can now should accept a a lot more durable duel towards PSG.
“I am sorry we needed to meet once more,” mentioned UEFA Deputy Common Secretary Giorgio Marchettin forward of the second draw. “There have been issues brought on by a malfunction being carried out via an out of doors vendor.
MORE: Why Actual Madrid was royally hosed down by the brand new draw
“After the draw, the exterior unbiased auditor knowledgeable UEFA that they might not assure that the issue with the IT system didn’t exist from the beginning. Subsequently, the complete draw should be carried out once more. Any longer, any proposal from Die Software program is checked in actual time by UEFA officers to make sure accuracy. This will likely imply the draw takes a bit longer, however I am certain you’ll agree that that is the proper factor to do. “
These had been the outcomes of the brand new draw:
| recreation | House crew – first leg | House crew – second leg | |
| 1 | RB Salzburg | vs. | Bayern Munich |
| 2 | Sporty CP | vs. | Manchester metropolis |
| 3 | Benfica | vs. | Ajax |
| 4th | Chelsea | vs. | LOSC Lille |
| 5 | Atletico Madrid | vs. | Manchester united |
| sixth | Villarreal | vs. | Juventus |
| seventh | Inter Milan | vs. | Liverpool |
| eighth | PSG | vs. | actual Madrid |
Examine these matchups to the unique draw that was scratched:
| recreation | House crew – first leg | House crew – second leg | |
| 1 | Benfica | vs. | actual Madrid |
| 2 | Villarreal CF | vs. | Manchester metropolis |
| 3 | Atletico Madrid | vs. | Bayern Munich |
| 4th | RB Salzburg | vs. | Liverpool |
| 5 | Inter Milan | vs. | Ajax |
| sixth | Sporty CP | vs. | Juventus |
| seventh | Chelsea | vs. | LOSC Lille |
| eighth | Paris St. Germain | vs. | Manchester united |
Between the strain from the golf equipment and the strain from the media, the redraw was the best way to go, though there will probably be some groups that won’t be pleased with the brand new opponents.
It is actually exhausting to see {that a} tie can go. It truly affected six of the connections. United ought to have performed with Atletico however Liverpool positioned as an alternative.
– Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) December 13, 2021
Both approach, UEFA has to take care of this example as it’s clear that there was a mistake and all of the proof means that Manchester United weren’t accepted as potential opponents of Atlético Madrid when they need to have been
– Andrew Cesare (@AndrewCesare) December 13, 2021
If a crew was out of the pot for a part of the draw, it ought to have been, as was the case with Man United within the Atletico draw, they have to at the very least contemplate re-drawing #UCLdraw
– James Nalton (@JDNalton) December 13, 2021
I imply the draw must be redone, proper? That is clearly a giant mistake. Manchester United first performed with Villarreal within the spherical of 16 which was not doable, then their ball was not put within the draw with a view to doubtlessly enjoying towards Atletico Madrid. #UCL #UCLDraw
– Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 13, 2021
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