Champions League draw controversy: When is the re-draw and why?

The Champions League draw descended into farce after two key mistakes in Switzerland. It will now be re-drawn.

Manchester United were drawn out of the pot to face Villarreal – before it was explained they should not have been in the pot.

United could not face Villarreal after being drawn against them in the group stages.

UEFA Champions League 2021/22 Round of 16 Draw — (Photo by Richard Juilliart – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Champions League draw controversy

There was further controversy as a video came to light indicating United’s ball was not put into the pot for the second to last tie.

RONALDO NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.

It definitely looks like #mufc’s ball – in the second pot from the right, back row – was not included in the Atletico Madrid draw. pic.twitter.com/ubxQHdjkQV
— Mark Critchley (@mjcritchley) December 13, 2021

This saw Atletico Madrid drawn against Bayern Munich, leaving Manchester United to face Paris Saint-Germain.

The dream draw for neutrals of Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo is not so amusing for the clubs concerned, and those effected.

Champions League draw fallout

Atletico Madrid are seeking a full explanation from UEFA, reports Guillem Balague. Journalist Mark Critchley reports United are also awaiting a statement.

#AtleticodeMadrid demand an explanation to @UEFA for the mistake of the #MUFC ball not being picked. They want to know what happened exactly and want to hear an explanation of why it has not been accepted and acted upon it

The draw should be fully redone
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) December 13, 2021

#mufc have not challenged the draw but are awaiting clarification from Uefa.
— Mark Critchley (@mjcritchley) December 13, 2021

Balague adds that Villarreal are demanding a full re-draw after landing a tie against Manchester City.

Real Madrid are complicating matters by insisting their draw with Benfica was valid, as it came before the errors were made.

#Villarreal also agree the draw has to be redone and will fight for that to happen. It clearly affects the integrity of the competition
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) December 13, 2021

#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

United’s draw with PSG was the worst possible tie.

Liverpool meanwhile drew Red Bull Salzburg and Chelsea were drawn against Lille.

Resolution

The Champions League draw will reportedly be re-done at 2pm, reports BBC Sport’s Simon Stone.

United v PSG still feels like an inevitability – but we will see…

Champions League last 16 to be redrawn at 1400 GMT
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) December 13, 2021

UEFA have since confirmed the news, and blamed somebody else.

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 Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 13, 2021

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