December 14 – Real Madrid have slammed Monday’s farcical Champions League last-16 re-draw that saw them end up with a nightmare heavyweight clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
Real, initially paired favourably with Benfica, reportedly launched a scathing attack on UEFA, arguing the Benfica tie should have stood because the crucial error that led to the original draw being declared null and void occurred after their name was pulled out of the relevant bowl.
It has emerged that Real pleaded with UEFA, to no avail, not conduct the entire process a second time, club president Florentino Perez also getting involved.
UEFA, despite the embarrassing episode, disregarded the protests and continued with a brand new draw later in the afternoon which saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side eventually pitted against PSG and the devastating trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Having either Real or PSG eliminated so early will be music to the ears of other leading contenders.
Real director Emilio Butragueno told Real Madrid TV: “[The decision was] surprising, regrettable and very hard to understand, when you take into account the millions of fans who were following the draw.”
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