Tony Cottee expressed his frustration loudly after it was announced that West Ham United would once again face Freiburg in the Europa League, following the draw on Friday.
Having already secured victories over the German team in the group phase, the Hammers are set for a repeat encounter in the knockout stages, a situation made possible by UEFA’s draw. Despite Freiburg’s entry into this stage through a playoff, Cottee criticized the governing body’s regulations as “absolutely ridiculous” for allowing such a rematch.
Cottee vented his displeasure on Twitter on 23 February, lamenting the repetitiveness for players, clubs, and supporters, likening it to experiencing Groundhog Day. He slammed the existing framework as nonsensical, highlighting a stark contrast with the Champions League rules, where teams are prevented from facing opponents from their own country or group in the early knockout phases.
The oddity of the situation is underscored by the fact that, while Freiburg advanced through a different path, involving an initial knockout round which West Ham did not participate in, the possibility of such a draw in the Europa League, contrary to Champions League standards, has sparked criticism.
Fans and clubs alike seek thrilling and fresh matchups in European competitions, aiming for diversity and unique challenges. However, the recurrence of the same fixtures, as evidenced by the impact of this rule on three separate ties in the current round, has led to calls for its immediate revision.
