UEFA blamed a “material error” due to a “technical problem
with the software of an external service provider” as it announced that the
draw for the first knockout round of its flagship competition would be redone
at 1400 GMT.
With the draw being streamed live from UEFA’s headquarters
in Nyon, Switzerland, the problem was made evident when Manchester United’s
name was drawn to face Villarreal, despite the fact the two clubs could not
have played one another having been in the same group.
Manchester City were drawn to play the Spanish side, but the
ball containing United’s name did not then appear to be replaced correctly and
so they were not included as possible opponents for Atletico Madrid in the next
tie.
With the whole draw compromised, a red-faced UEFA was left
with little choice but to start again from scratch.
-AFP