The qualifications of the Champions League started on Tuesday evening and UEFA is preparing to announce a double change of rule for the actual tournament that is not going well with football fans
UEFA has been set to confirm a change in the Champions League that would have benefited from Arsenal last season – while adding a controversial new rule. The Gunners were forced to play the second legs of their quarter and semi-final collisions with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain away from home, even though they end up much higher than in the competition phase.
This was because the house and the road tires beyond the round of 16 – which Arsenal, Aston Villa and other teams who ended in the top eight had home advantage – were decided through a random draw. But no more.
UEFA has agreed that for Knock outpatient matches, whichever team is higher, the second stage at home. This is seen as a greater advantage, especially if the return arrangement goes to extra time and/or fines.
Arsenal was unable to feed the Emirates MEFT in their second legs against Real and PSG, of whom the last one hit them in the semi-final after they had broken down a late comeback. However, there is still a turn, according to the Spanish outlet like.
If a team with a lower rank beats a team with a higher ranked, they would 'steal' their place and receive the home advantage in the next round. UEFA has divided fans over that specific change as, theoretical, the team that ends 24th and goes through the play-offs to the last 16, could eventually have a home advantage compared to a side that ended much higher in the competition phase.
“Good except stealing,” wrote a fan on Reddit. “Only again in balance based on the group stage of the remaining teams after each round. It is not that complicated and is fairer.”
Another argued: “I am not sure for which problem this is a solution. That does not mean that if the 16th place team beats the first place team, the 16th place team effectively the first is placed? So they would jump in the pecking order the teams that ended 3rd and 4th.”
What do you think of the new Champions League rules? Say in the commentary part.
A rather ruthless Gunners supporter posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Nice of them to add these new rules after Arsenal is definitely shipped by the old one.”
Another asked: “Will the second part of this not make the first part superfluous, in practice?”
The Champions League 2025-26 officially started on Tuesday with the first qualifying round. The final of this season will be played in the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday 30 May, while the draw for the competition phase is held on Thursday 28 August, when five Premier League clubs will discover their first eight games.