Benfica on alert as Czech corruption ruling could reshape Europa League draw | OneFootball

Two days before the Europa League draw to set the second qualifying round, Benfica’s list of potential opponents is in flux after a ruling by the Czech federation’s ethics committee. It found Czech Cup winners MFK Karviná guilty of corruption. The club have also been relegated to the second tier and fined 10 million Czech crowns, around 410,000 euros.

According to Glorioso 1904, UEFA has yet to decide on continental participation, though the club could be excluded from its competitions, which would alter the draw pots.

If that happens, Viktoria Plzen, previously seeded on Benfica’s side, would move straight to the play-off. Hradec Králové would take their place in the second qualifying round as an unseeded team.

The first team on that side, which would have come from the winner of the tie involving Sheriff of Moldova in the first qualifying round, would become seeded and therefore could no longer face Benfica. The situation leaves the draw in suspense and could force some teams to adjust pre-season plans. Viktoria Plzen began pre-season today for that qualifier, yet might not play until the play-off on 20 and 27 August.

Possible opponents for Benfica are: the winner of the tie involving Dínamo Kiev in the first qualifying round, Besiktas of Türkiye, Twente of the Netherlands, the winner of the tie involving Hajduk Split in the first qualifying round, Tromso of Norway, St. Gallen of Switzerland, the winner of the tie involving CSKA Sofia in the first qualifying round, Hammarby of Sweden, and Hradec Králové of Czechia.

Source: Glorioso 1904