Liverpool will be barred from facing Real Madrid in next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage if both clubs qualify for the competition.
According to UEFA regulations, the decision stems from a new rule that prevents the same two clubs from being drawn together with the same home team for three consecutive seasons.
Liverpool and Real Madrid have met in two straight Champions League campaigns since the new format began. Arne Slot’s side defeated Madrid 2-0 at Anfield in late November last season and will host them again this week.
This will be the 13th meeting between the clubs in the competition, with most encounters happening over the last 16 years. Only two of those have been in the group stage, while the rest came in knockout rounds, including three finals in 1981, 2021, and 2022.
UEFA’s rule, outlined in paragraph 16.03 of the Champions League regulations, states that any fixture between the same two clubs cannot be repeated in the same competition with the same home team for three straight seasons.
This means that if Liverpool and Real Madrid are drawn together again in the 2025/26 season with Liverpool as the home side, they cannot meet under the same conditions in the 2026/27 campaign. However, they could still face each other if the venue is reversed.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will seek a fourth consecutive Champions League win when they face Slavia Prague away tonight. The Gunners have won all three of their group matches so far and are strong favourites to continue their perfect run.
Goalkeeper David Raya is expected to retain his spot, having yet to concede in Europe this season. Defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are likely to start, while rotation could occur in the full-back positions.
Myles Lewis-Skelly may once again feature at left-back ahead of Riccardo Calafiori, with Ben White set to return at right-back after fitness issues.
In midfield, Christian Nørgaard is expected to replace the suspended Martin Zubimendi, while Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze are set to continue in their usual roles.
Up front, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard are likely to start on the wings, though striker Viktor Gyokeres remains doubtful after a muscle injury. Mikel Merino could lead the attack in his absence.
Arsenal’s strong European form comes ahead of their weekend Premier League trip to Sunderland, where manager Mikel Arteta may again rotate his squad.
About the author
Chelle drops Osimhen Nwabali as he unveils Super Eagles squad for friendlies
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman in a 23 man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Turkey . The matches, originally scheduled for Amman, were moved to Antalya following the outbreak of military conflict in the Middle East, according to a statement by Nigeria Football Federation Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire . Nigeria will face Iran on March 27 in Antalya at 4 p.m. and then play Jordan on March 31 at 8 p.m. as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures . Chelle also handed call ups to Maduka Okoye, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu, among others . Debut invitations went to Emmanuel Fernandez, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor, while goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo returned to the […]
Senegal fans brand AFCON title loss to Morocco a disgrace for Africa
Senegalese football fans have condemned the decision to strip their country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco, calling the move a disgrace for Africa . Many supporters in Dakar said they were shocked to wake up to the news that the Confederation of African Football had overturned Senegal’s victory in the final played in Rabat on January 18 . CAF ruled late on Tuesday that Senegal had forfeited the match after several of their players walked off the pitch in stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco, before later returning to continue the game . Morocco missed the penalty and Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure a 1 0 win, but CAF’s appeals committee later applied competition rules stating that any team that refuses to play or leaves […]
CDS COAS DG NEMA relocate to Maiduguri after Tinubu directive
Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu and Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency have relocated to Maiduguri, Borno State, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive . The move comes in response to a recent surge in Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks and bombings in Borno, including deadly explosions in Maiduguri, the state capital . Tinubu had ordered all service chiefs and heads of key security agencies to move to Maiduguri to coordinate intensified operations aimed at quickly restoring security and public confidence in the North East . On Wednesday, Oluyede and Shaibu arrived at the Maiduguri Air Force Base, where they were received by the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, and other senior officers . The service chiefs later proceeded […]
Tinubu and First Lady receive royal welcome as UK state visit opens
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has begun his historic state visit to the United Kingdom with a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle, where he was received by King Charles III . This is the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years, marking a significant milestone in relations between both countries . Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, was honoured with a 42 gun salute by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery as part of the formal arrival ceremonies . Earlier, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, welcomed the Nigerian First Family and escorted them to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla at the historic royal residence . The two day visit will see the King host the president and his wife at Windsor Castle, with activities including an exchange of official gifts and […]
NAF strikes Borno terrorist hideouts after failed attacks
The Nigerian Air Force has carried out precision airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Abirma, Borno State, destroying several structures and neutralising many fighters along the southern axis of the Lake Chad region . NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the strikes were launched on Tuesday, March 17, after intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance confirmed the presence of terrorists in the settlement . He explained that follow up aerial surveillance spotted insurgent movements around concealed structures hidden under thick vegetation, a tactic the terrorists often use to avoid detection . Once the targets were positively identified and verified in line with NAF’s operational procedures, air assets executed precision strikes on the locations . According to Ejodame, the strikes destroyed multiple terrorist structures and disrupted their activities, with preliminary battle damage assessment indicating that their capacity to use the area as a […]
Tinubu sets March 31 exit deadline for appointees eyeing 2027 polls
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given ministers and other presidential appointees nursing political ambitions until March 31, 2026, to resign from their positions . The directive was issued through a circular from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and is aimed at creating a level playing field ahead of next year’s general election . According to the statement signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations in the OSGF, Nengak Goshit, the order is to ensure compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for party primaries . INEC’s timetable stipulates that primaries to select candidates for the January and February 2027 elections must be held between April 23 and May 30, after which parties will submit their candidate lists and electronic registers of members . […]
Related
Chelle drops Osimhen Nwabali as he unveils Super Eagles squad for friendlies
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman in a 23 man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Turkey . The matches, originally scheduled for Amman, were moved to Antalya following the outbreak of military conflict in the Middle East, according to a statement by Nigeria Football Federation Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire . Nigeria will face Iran on March 27 in Antalya at 4 p.m. and then play Jordan on March 31 at 8 p.m. as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures . Chelle also handed call ups to Maduka Okoye, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu, among others . Debut invitations went to Emmanuel Fernandez, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor, while goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo returned to the […]
Senegal fans brand AFCON title loss to Morocco a disgrace for Africa
Senegalese football fans have condemned the decision to strip their country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco, calling the move a disgrace for Africa . Many supporters in Dakar said they were shocked to wake up to the news that the Confederation of African Football had overturned Senegal’s victory in the final played in Rabat on January 18 . CAF ruled late on Tuesday that Senegal had forfeited the match after several of their players walked off the pitch in stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco, before later returning to continue the game . Morocco missed the penalty and Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure a 1 0 win, but CAF’s appeals committee later applied competition rules stating that any team that refuses to play or leaves […]
Morocco awarded AFCON 2025 after CAF ruling
Morocco have officially been crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the initial result of the final against Senegal. The match, played on 18 January, originally ended in a 1–0 victory for Senegal. However, it was marked by controversy when Senegalese players temporarily refused to continue play after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Morocco while the score was still level. After a delay of approximately 17 minutes, the game resumed. Morocco’s penalty, taken by Brahim Díaz, was saved, and Senegal later secured victory through an extra-time goal from Pape Gueye. Following a formal appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), CAF’s appeal board reviewed the incident and ruled that Senegal’s actions constituted a breach of tournament regulations. As a result, Senegal were deemed to have forfeited the match, which […]
Lagos to host 2026 youth swimming talent trials
Lagos State will host the 2026 Swimming Trials for young athletes on March 22, 2026, at the Rowe Park Sports Complex in Yaba . The event will bring together emerging talents from across the state as the Lagos State Sports Commission works to identify swimmers who can represent Lagos in future national and international competitions . The trials are open to active male and female swimmers aged 16 and under, with entries expected from clubs, schools and training centres across Lagos . According to the Commission, the programme is part of a wider plan to deepen grassroots sports development and strengthen the talent pipeline in aquatic sports . Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, said the trials reflect the state’s commitment to building a strong foundation for sports through structured competitions and systematic athlete identification . […]
Iran in talks with FIFA to move US World Cup games to Mexico
Iran’s football federation says it is in talks with FIFA about moving the national team’s World Cup group matches from the United States to Mexico because of the war in the Middle East and security concerns . Iran are due to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle at this summer’s tournament, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico . However, Iran’s embassy in Mexico said on Monday that officials are now “negotiating” with FIFA to have Iran’s matches held in Mexico instead of the United States . Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian football federation, was quoted on the embassy’s X account as saying that when US President Donald Trump has openly said he cannot guarantee the security of the Iranian team, the squad will certainly not travel to America […]
African players in Europe: Sub Salah fails to sink Spurs
Egypt captain Mohamed Salah came off the bench for Liverpool at the weekend but could not stop his team from dropping two crucial points against Tottenham Hotspur.A last minute goal earned lowly Spurs a 1–1 draw at Anfield, leaving Liverpool fifth in the Premier League table, two points behind Aston Villa with eight games left. Salah was among several regular starters who began on the bench as Liverpool manager Arne Slot rotated his side ahead of a Champions League tie against Galatasaray.He was introduced in the 64th minute and soon had a big chance to double Liverpool’s lead after a defensive error from Spurs centre back Radu Dragusin. Cody Gakpo’s high ball caused confusion in the Tottenham box, but Salah scuffed his shot wide of the post.That miss proved costly as Brazilian forward Richarlison struck a late equaliser for Spurs […]