ZCZC
BSP-22
FBL-EUR-C1-ENG-MANUTD-MANCITY
Man Utd may face Champions League fixture reversal, say UEFA
PARIS, March 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The home leg of Manchester United’s
Champions League quarter-final tie could be reversed in the event of a clash
with that involving Manchester City, depending on the outcome of Friday’s
draw, UEFA said on Thursday.
The two Manchester clubs are through to the last eight alongside two other
Premier League sides, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Unlike in previous rounds, there is no longer any country protection in
the draw, meaning teams from the same domestic league can now face one
another. That throws open the possibility of a Manchester derby in the
quarter-finals.
However, if they do not face each other, United will have to reverse their
fixture if they are drawn at home in the same week as City.
“Following a decision made by the relevant local authorities, Manchester
City and Manchester United cannot play at home on the same night, nor on
consecutive nights,” said UEFA.
“Should both clubs be drawn within the same sequence (home or away), the
team having finished lower in the domestic league the previous season — in
this case Manchester United — will be reversed in accordance with the UEFA
Club Competitions Committee principles.”
The semi-final draw will also take place on Friday, and UEFA added: “The
calendar for the semi-finals will be communicated to all parties on April 18,
2019, following the return legs of the quarter-finals.”
Juventus, Barcelona, Porto and Ajax complete the Champions League quarter-
final line-up.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1915HRS