UEFA Announce Major Champions League Rule Change Days Before First Matches

UEFA have announced a late change to European competition squad rules that could have an impact on those who were overlooked from their club's Champions League squads.

A record six English clubs will take part in the Champions League this season – Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.

All of the above announced their squad lists last week, with a number of high-profile names missing out, including Liverpool's Federico Chiesa and Spurs forward Mathys Tel, who reacted to the snub while on international duty.

Chelsea, meanwhile, omitted summer signing Facundo Buononotte, just days after the Argentine opened up on playing in Europe's elite competition.

"I’m sure it will be a positive season," he said in his first interview as a Chelsea player. "Of course, I’ll get the opportunity to play in the Champions League for the first time, which will be a great challenge."

PSG come into this season's Champions League as champions. Image credit: Getty

It looked like the previously mentioned would not be able to feature in the Champions League until the knockout phase, which takes place early next year.

But teams will now be able to make a change to their submitted squads during the group phase after UEFA announced clubs will be allowed to include a "temporary" replacement if one of their outfield players suffers a "long-term injury or illness".

UEFA explained the decision in a statement on Thursday.

It read: "The Executive Committee approved an amendment to the 2025/26 UEFA men’s club competitions’ regulations to admit the temporary replacement of a maximum of one outfield player with long-term injury or illness during the league phase until matchday 6 included.

"The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure."

As mentioned above, the rule is in play until the sixth match day.

Spurs omitted six players from Champions League squad

Thomas Frank has made some difficult decisions ahead of their Champions League opener against Villarreal, with summer signing Mathys Tel being the most notable absentee following his £30 million arrival from Bayern Munich.

The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Spurs, is still waiting for his first start under Frank, although he has appeared as a subsitute in games against Paris Saint-Germain, Burnley and Bournemouth.

Another high-profile omission from the squad is Yves Bissouma, who has yet to make a competitive appearance under his new manager as he enters the final year of his contract.

Kota Takai, a summer signing from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale, has been left out following a foot injury, while James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin are also on the sidelines, therefore have missed out.