13-time champions, Real Madrid, have slammed Monday’s calamitous Champions League last-16 draw as shameful and accused UEFA of lying after they were paired with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Spanish giants were initially drawn to play Portuguese side Benfica in the first attempt at the draw and then pleaded with UEFA to ensure that tie remained intact when it appeared it would have to be done again.
That was because Real and Benfica were paired together in the first grouping of the draw and the incident that forced proceedings to be voided took place after they had been pulled out.
However, UEFA disregarded Real’s appeal and continued with a brand new draw later in the afternoon which saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side eventually pitted against PSG.
It means they will be reunited with Real legend Sergio Ramos and former nemesis Lionel Messi, who left Real and Barcelona respectively for the French capital this summer.
The presence of Kylian Mbappe will also be intriguing with the French striker heavily linked with a free transfer to the Bernabeu next summer when his PSG contract expires.
According to ESPN, Real were furious in the immediate aftermath of the revised draw, describing the episode as ‘shameful’ and accusing UEFA of ‘lying’.
Spanish TV station El Chiringuito, known for their outlandish rants and debates about Spanish football, were equally unimpressed with one pundit describing the draw as ‘outrageous’ and another saying: ‘You can’t cover up an error with an even bigger error’.
Fans were equally as furious on social media with one, @ade_adeayo posting: ‘We are really going to accept this BS?’.
A sympathetic fan wrote: ‘I feel for Real Madrid. From Benfica to PSG while Chelsea still face Lille’.
UEFA were left red-faced after a series of errors first time around forced them to go again, and there was bad news for several clubs in the afternoon as their assignments began to look much more difficult.
Now Manchester United, who were drawn to play PSG initially, must go to Atletico Madrid while Liverpool will face reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan.
Manchester City will tackle Sporting Lisbon in the knockout stages while Chelsea will continue their title defence against Lille – the only repeat fixture from the voided draw completed earlier in the day.
Bayern Munich will make the relatively short trip to Salzburg, Benfica will take on Ajax while Villarreal are paired with Juventus.
The first legs of the ties are due to be played in the second half of February with the return fixtures in March.
Real Madrid will face PSG in the knockout stage of a European competition for the fourth time.
PSG have qualified twice (1992/93 and 1993/94), while the Spanish giants eliminated the Parisians in the 2017/18 Champions League campaign.
Source: Dailymail Sports
