Chelsea could be forced to give up home advantage in the Champions League last 16 because of a UEFA rule that applies when clubs share the same stadium.
The issue is linked to Real Madrid’s use of Stamford Bridge. If Chelsea are drawn at home against Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie, UEFA regulations allow the governing body to step in and switch the order of the matches to avoid a clash with another European fixture at the same venue.
That is because Madrid Women have been playing their Women’s Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge this season, under an agreement that has seen Chelsea host the Spanish club’s European games in London.
UEFA’s rules state that when two teams share a stadium, the competition organiser can reverse which team plays at home first if there is a conflict in the match schedule. In practical terms, it would mean Chelsea could lose the chance to play the first leg at Stamford Bridge, even if they were originally given home advantage by the draw.
The draw for the Champions League last 16 will therefore come with an unusual complication for Chelsea. If the Blues are paired with Madrid and are initially handed the home first leg, the tie could be flipped so that Chelsea would play away in the opening match and host the return leg instead.
In other words, Chelsea’s “home” status for the first leg may not be guaranteed, depending on the draw and the fixture list at Stamford Bridge.
