Fans convinced there has been a mistake in Europa League draw as baffling new rule is introduced

FOOTBALL fans were left baffled with UEFA’s new rule in the Europa League draw.

The European governing body has decided that this year there will be no country protection in the play-offs before the group stage.

Fans are baffled by the new Europa League rule that excludes country protectionGetty

That means Zorya Luhansk may face fellow Ukrainian outfit DniproGetty

That means two teams from the same nation can actually play against each other in Europe.

Thus, Zorya Luhansk could face fellow Ukrainian outfit Dnipro in the final qualifying round.

Dnipro are playing Slavia Prague in the third qualifying round and the winner will square up against Zorya.

However, fans have yet to adapt to the new rule and some even wondered if UEFA completed yet another blunder during today’s draw.

One fan tweeted: “Is the top fixture even allowed to stand btw?

“Dnipro and Zorya are both Ukrainian and could play each other. Unless I’m wrong about something.”

Another commented: “Why Zorya can play against Dnipro? I need an explanation.”

A third said: “In the Uefa Europa League draw, #Dnipro was drawn against the winner between Slavia Prague and #Zorya Luhansk.

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“Unlike the Champions and Conference League, the 2023/2024 Europa League regulations do not provide so-called “country protection” for the playoff round. Weird. #UELDRAW.”

This fan wrote: “Dnipro vs Zorya ? How ?”

And that one wondered: “What is @UEFA doing?”

Liverpool and Brighton may meet the winner of that exchange in the the Europa League group stage after finishing fifth and sixth respectively in the Premier League last season.

The Reds and the Seagulls will be joined by West Ham, who won the Europa Conference League.