Champions League Semi-Final Draw: Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea

Chris Wright

11th, April 2014

3 Comments

By Chris Wright

Monaco Soccer UEFA Draw

Just to keep y’all abreast, the draw for the Champions League semi-finals has been completed in Nyon and it looks like this…

Semi-final 1: Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich

Semi-final 2: Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea

All first leg ties will be played on April 22/23 with the return legs scheduled for the following week. The winners of Semi-final 1 will be the “home” team in the Final, with the winner of Semi-final 2 being the “away” side.

We happen to think the balls have come out in the best possible order really, with Atleti-Chelsea sure to provide at least one screamer of a game while the other semi will see the two best club sides in the world going at each other’s throats. What’s not to like?

For the record, UEFA have informed Chelsea that the clause requiring Atleti to pay them millions of Euros for fielding Thibaut Courtois against them is, and we quote, “null, void and unenforceable”.

UEFA’s official statement on the matter reads:

“Both the Champions League and the disciplinary regulations contain clear provisions which strictly forbid any club to exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match.”

“It follows that any provision in a private contract between clubs which might function in such a way as to influence who a club fields in a match is null, void and unenforceable so far as UEFA is concerned.

“Furthermore, any attempt to enforce such a provision would be a clear violation of both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA disciplinary regulations and would therefore be sanctioned accordingly.”

Any reaction to the draw, Pies fans?