UEFA introduces new handball rules and announces Champions League draw

UEFA has introduced clarified criteria for handball offenses to ensure consistency across the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. Roberto Rosetti, UEFA's chief referee, announced that the new guidelines aim to reduce varying interpretations of identical situations. Under the new rules, if a ball is on the ground and in play, a player may not intentionally touch it with their hand, regardless of the proximity of opponents.

This decision follows controversial incidents, such as a match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid where a handball was not penalized. The new regulations seek to eliminate ambiguity regarding whether a handball has a direct influence on play.

Simultaneously, the draw for the upcoming Champions League season has been completed, setting the stage for high-profile matchups. Key fixtures include clashes between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, Manchester City and PSG, and Arsenal against Real Madrid. The new season is scheduled to begin with the first round of matches from September 8 to 10.