UEFA have made the decision to void the initial Champions League last-16 draw with it set to be redone following an administrative error.
Following 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, a material error occurred in the draw for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 13, 2021
In the early stages of the draw, Manchester United were incorrectly drawn against their Group F counterparts Villarreal, instead the reigning Europa League champions were paired with Manchester City, and United drawn against Paris Saint-Germain.
The above tie being drawn would have not only seen a repeat of the dramatic Round of 16 game from 2019 but also Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi facing off once again.
Chelsea were due to kick off their knockout defence of their Champions League crown against Lille, meanwhile Liverpool and Manchester City are set to clash with Salzburg and Villarreal respectively.
In a statement, Uefa said the draw had been “declared void”. with it now now set to be completed for a second time at 2pm.
