Thursday’s Champions League draw was overshadowed by the ongoing dispute between UEFA and FIFA over plans to introduce private financing into the World Cup and other major competitions.
UEFA had threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments after reports emerged that FIFA president Gianni Infantino planned to establish a commercial subsidiary that would allow private investors to acquire stakes in the organisation of major events.
European football’s governing body described the proposal as a “shady, opaque backroom deal” and warned that no UEFA national teams would participate in FIFA competitions if the plans remained in place.
However, sources told AFP that UEFA was expected to withdraw the boycott threat after FIFA appeared to abandon the controversial proposal and provide assurances that similar plans would not be pursued.
The dispute comes as UEFA executives and European football associations met in Monaco ahead of the Champions League draw.
Meanwhile, attention turned to the new Champions League season, with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive European title.
PSG won their second successive Champions League crown last season after defeating Arsenal on penalties in the final in Budapest.
The competition continues with its 36-team league format, with each club playing eight matches against different opponents.
The league phase will begin between September 8 and 10 and conclude in January, while the final is scheduled for June 5, 2027, at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
Among the notable newcomers are Italian club Como, coached by former Arsenal and Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas, and Azerbaijan’s Sabah, who reached the league phase after progressing through four qualifying rounds.
