Exciting changes are on the horizon for the UEFA Champions League, with the upcoming season heralding a significant transformation in the competition’s format.
While alterations in the format have drawn in mixed reviews across the footballing universe, it appears UEFA is set to make another radical change next season.
Computerised draws in UCL
According to Sky Sports, the new expanded format of the Champions League, to be effective from next season, will use computers to make the draws.
The introduction of computerized draws marks a revolutionary shift in how clubs will discover their opponents, shifting away from the traditional manual draw formula.
UEFA simulations show that a manual draw for the new format of the competition would take between 3-4 hours and require 900 balls.
In order to streamline the process, UEFA has devised a novel method: a hybrid draw system that blends manual club selection with computerized opponent allocation.
In this process, clubs will still be drawn manually to ascertain their participation in the tournament.
However, once the initial selections are made, a sophisticated computer software system, developed by an esteemed English IT company, will take the reins to randomly assign each club their eight opponents.
Despite the expansion of the tournament format, the new hybrid draw system will significantly reduce the duration of the method to just 35 minutes.
What about transparency?
One of the primary concerns revolves around the complexity of computer algorithms. Unlike manual draws, where the selection process is visible and tangible, the inner workings of computerized systems remain opaque to most observers.
Moreover, the reliance on technology introduces the possibility of technical glitches or malfunctions.
To uphold the integrity of the draw, stringent measures will be implemented, including the deployment of two backup software systems and comprehensive auditing procedures.
