Champions League draw LIVE: Redraw as Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City learn fate
An error in the initial draw involving Manchester United saw the last-16 draw redone
Follow live coverage after the Champions League draw had to be redone following an extraordinary mistake in the initial ceremony.
Controversy struck when Manchester United were initially drawn to play against Villarreal, yet having already faced the Liga club in the group stages, this was in error. Uefa’s Giorgio Marchetti spotted the mistake and ordered the tie to be re-drawn, with Villarreal ultimately facing Manchester City. But a technical error appeared to subsequently block United from being selected as one of the teams eligible to play the next side drawn out of the hat, Atletico with Uefa confirming the intial draw void. A second, official ceremony then took place.
2019 champions Liverpool now face Inter Milan, three-time winners United take on Atletico Madrid, Premier League champions City play Sporting and defending champions Chelsea go up against Lille, just as they did in the initial draw. First legs will take place on 15-16 and 22-23 February, before second legs on 8-9 and 15-16 March.
Follow all the reaction from the Champions League draw below.
Champions League draw
Here is that Uefa statement which blamed a “technical problem” for the draw failure.
“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. As a result of this, the draw has been declared void and will be entirely redone at 1500 CET.”
Champions League draw
This is the moment when Manchester United’s ball – in the second pot from the right, back row – was not included in the Atletico Madrid draw.
Champions League draw
There are going to be some very upset fans who would have reacted quickly to the draw in order to secure cheap flights and hotels, only to find out that they might now be going to wrong the place and staying in the wrong city. Perhaps Uefa can compensate those few who’ve been stung...
Champions League draw
What an extraordinary 24 hours it’s been in the world of sport. Here is our full story on one of the more bizarre events in Champions League history:
Uefa to redo Champions League draw after Manchester United ball error
Champions League draw
Safe to say you won’t have seen this sort of sporting controversy since...well the F1 yesterday. But still, utterly bizarre.
Champions League draw
So just to confirm, the draw will now take place at 2pm GMT. The entirety of the original draw has been made void.
Safe to say there will be a few relieved Manchester United fans. Also safe to say a few Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City supporters may be a little angry.
Champions League draw
I must be honest, I didn’t think a Champions League draw would have this level of controversy. I’m going to have to postpone my lunch.
Champions League draw
Here is UEFA’s official statement:
“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.
“As a result of this, the draw has been declared void and will be entirely redone at 1500 CET.”
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