- Follow the group stage draw as it unfolds from 12pm
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Just on that Red Bull derby: you might be wondering how this is allowed. And you’d probably be right to wonder that, given the influence of the sickly energy drink company on both clubs.
The simple, if rather unsatisfying answer is that according to Uefa “no individual or legal entity had a decisive influence over more than one club”. That’s because technically speaking Red Bull no longer own Salzburg, they merely sponsor them (and their stadium). So that’s all above board, then. Uefa checked the small print last year on this and ruled it OK.
Maybe the stand-out game of the whole draw though, is FC Dudelange – the first team from Luxembourg to reach this stage of a European competition – facing yer actual AC Milan. The Italians might not be what they used to be, but still. Mercy.
Written by Nick Miller
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/aug/31/europa-league-group-stage-draw-live under the title “Europa League group stage: Chelsea and Arsenal handed kind draws – live!”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
