Real Madrid Sources told ESPN are furious with UEFA for their “shameful” handling of the Champions League round of 16 draw, with the club accusing European football’s governing body of “lies” about the problems that led to the process being repeated.
Madrid was originally paired with Benfica in Monday before the first draw is declared void after discovering flaws in the selection of potential opponents for members of LaLiga Villarreal and Atlético Madrid.
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UEFA blames the problem about “a technical issue with an external service provider’s software instructing officials as to which teams are eligible to play against each other.”
Sources revealed to ESPN that Madrid, whose team drew with Benfica before those blunders took place, have insisted that their pairing should stand.
However UEFA chose to redraw the entire round 16 hours later, when Madrid is paired with Paris Saint-Germain.
“It’s a lie that it’s a software bug,” a club source told ESPN. “It’s human error, starting with the second pairing. Our pairing [Real Madrid-Benfica] is legal. “
ESPN has reached out to UEFA for comment on Madrid’s stance.
The relationship between Madrid and UEFA has been severely damaged this year as a result of the club’s participation in the Super League.
UEFA has initiated disciplinary action against Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus in April over their continued support of the plan.
They were then forced to suspend those proceedings, after a Madrid court issued a preliminary order to the Super League and referred the question of whether clubs were protected by free trade law. European Court of Justice or not.
“Perhaps UEFA has to remind who Real Madrid is,” president Florentino Perez told the club’s annual general meeting last month.
“UEFA must be reminded of the history of Real Madrid. Real Madrid has engaged in every necessary renewal in the years since its founding.
“The current football situation leaves us with no choice but to continue to defend our legitimate interests.”
