Champions League releases new anthem as fuming fans say ‘the beautiful game has died’
FOOTBALL fans are raging after Uefa released a new version of the Champions League anthem as the competition prepares to return next month.
The theme music is Tony Britten’s 1992 adaption of the 1727 classical piece “Zadok the Priest” which was written by George Frideric Handel.
ReutersThe Champions League returns with a new format next month[/caption]
It has become synonymous with football’s premier European competition as it is played at the start of TV broadcasts and when teams line up before kick-off.
But ahead of the 2024/25 edition, which gets underway with a new format on September 17, Uefa have opted to subtly change up the music.
It remains the same theme, but an updated versions sees more of a focus on the vocals.
The pace of the song has also been sped up, with most football fans against the alterations.
Reacting on social media, one fan said: “Horrible. Lost its aura.”
Another added: “This is horrible.”
A third replied: “Please tell me this is an April Fools’ joke in August, please tell me this isn’t true, please.”
While a fourth responded: “The beautiful game has died.”
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New Champions League format
Each club will play eight matches in the opening phase – against seeded opposition, in a system designed to ensure that teams play opponents of similar difficulty.
The top eight teams in the “final” table will automatically go through to the last 16, where they will be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.
Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over 10 midweek slots.
The new Champions League format also sees the implication of two additional qualifying spots.
They will be awarded to the nations that are top of the “country coefficient” chart each season.
And a fifth said: “Thumbs down. The original is epic, this is meh.”
The Champions League draw takes place on Friday August 29 as all 32 teams will learn their eight fixtures in the new first-round stage.
All sides will be in the same league, with the top eight automatically progressing through to the last 16, while ninth to 24th face off in play-off fixtures.
Real Madrid are the defending champions after beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League final at Wembley back in June.
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