Posted on 18th December 2009
UEFA’s proposals to expand the Champions League have been challenged by fans today, with Football Supporters Europe calling instead for “meaningful reform” to protect the game’s future.
Champions League and Europa League draws
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
The draws for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League took place earlier today in Nyon, Switzerland, with six English sides represented. Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were all seeded in the Champions League draw, having won their respective groups, whereas Liverpool, Fulham and Everton faced potentially tricky ties as unseeded sides in the Europa League.
The big story of the day is undoubtedly David Beckham’s return to Manchester United with AC Milan. Chelsea will be welcoming a former employee as well, having drawn Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan, whereas Arsenal have the easiest draw, at least on paper, with a trip to Porto. Holders Barcelona were drawn against Stuttgart.
Check out the FSF’s Ground Guides to AC Milan, Inter and Porto.
In the Europa League, Liverpool find themselves drawn against fellow Champions League dropouts Unirea Urziceni of Romania. Fulham will have the furthest to travel when they meet last year’s winners Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, while Everton will be making another trip to Lisbon to face Sporting, having been heavily beaten early in the group by their neighbours Benfica. The potential tie of the round sees Ajax face off against Juventus, and Hamburg, where this season’s final will be played, were drawn against PSV.
Check out our guides to Unirea, Donetsk and Sporting.
Champions League first leg ties will be played the weeks commencing 15th and 22nd February, Europa League first legs will be played the week commencing the 15th February.
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