UEFA will have to redo the Champions League draw for the round of 16 after mistakingly placing Manchester United’s name into the wrong pot. UEFA voided the initial results of Monday’s draw, which had created another matchup between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after Manchester United was paired with Paris Saint-Germain. However, United had initially been paired with Villarreal even though the English club’s name should not have been in that pot since the two advanced from the same group.
UEFA blamed the mishap on “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.”
The UCL draw is taking place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, on Monday 13 December.
While no side can face another team from the same national association. Clubs cannot face opponents they met during the group stage, either. The so-called away goals rule has been removed, so ties level after 180 minutes will go to extra time irrespective of the number of goals each team has scored at home and away. If the teams still cannot be separated after the additional 30 minutes, the tie goes to a penalty shoot-out.