Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Champions League, Football
Marcus Chan
Five teams have previously been handed forfeit wins in the UEFA Champions League.
This week, Europe's premier club competition made its long-awaited return as the road to Budapest began.
On Tuesday night, the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Qarabag FK and Union St. Gilloise all won their opening match, with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund playing out a dramatic 4-4 draw.
The Champions League is one of the most historic tournaments in the world and is often described as the pinnacle of European football.
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However, over the years, there have been many controversial moments, with five teams awarded wins via forfeit.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan - 2005
During the second leg between the two Italian powerhouses, chaos engulfed after objects such as bottles and fireworks were thrown onto the pitch behind the Milan goal.
At the time, Milan were leading 1-0 (3-0 on aggregate) thanks to Andriy Shevchenko.
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An attempt to resume the match was made, but within seconds of the restart, more objects landed on the pitch. The match was then abandoned, with UEFA handing Milan a 3-0 default win. Inter were also fined 300,000 Swiss Francs.
Santa Coloma vs Birkirkara - 2010
The first leg of the Champions League qualifier between Santa Coloma and Birkirkara was due to be played at the Estadi Comunal in Andorra La Vella.
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However, the pitch was deemed unplayable after an inspection by the UEFA Delegate and referee.
As a result, the match was cancelled, with Santa Coloma forced to forfeit the game, awarding Birkirkara a 3-0 win. The Andorran club also received a suspended fine of €10,000.
Celtic vs Legia Warsaw - 2014
After losing to Legia Warsaw 6-1 on aggregate, Celtic were reinstated to the Champions League.
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The decision came after it was revealed that Legia Warsaw brought on Bartosz Bereszynski in the second leg, while he was supposed to be banned.
As a result, UEFA handed a 3-0 win to the Scottish giants, meaning they advanced on away goals.
Drita vs Linfield - 2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Linfield were given a default 3-0 win against Kosovan side Drita after their Champions League qualifier was called off.
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Drita had to forfeit the match due to two of their players testing positive for COVID-19, meaning the whole team had to be quarantined.
KI Klaksvik vs Slovan Bratislava - 2020
Similar to Drita vs Linfield, Slovan Bratislava had to forfeit their Champions League qualifier against Faroe Islands side Kl Klaksvik due to a player testing positive for COVID-19.
The match was originally pushed back for two days after a member of Bratislava's delegation had returned a positive test.
At the time, Bratislava were required to provide a list of additional players who had tested negative and were eligible to play.
However, another player returned two positive test results in consecutive days, meaning the match had to be cancelled.
UEFA later deemed Bratislava to have lost the match 3-0.