Chelsea relegated to Conference League by Man Utd FA Cup final win as horrified fans discover potential opponents
MANCHESTER UNITED’S FA Cup final win over Man City relegated Chelsea to the Europa Conference League.
And fans were left horrified after discovering their potential opponents in next season’s competition.
Chelsea will play in the Europa Conference League following Man Utd’s FA Cup winGetty
Chelsea initially hoped they’d qualified for the Europa League after a sixth-place finish in the Premier League under the recently-departed Mauricio Pochettino.
The Blues previously won the competition in 2013 and 2019.
And supporters were feeling confident over a hat-trick of victories despite preparing to welcome another new boss to Stamford Bridge.
However, Chelsea will now find themselves in a competition they’ve never played in before.
United’s 2-1 win over Man City in Saturday’s FA Cup final win at Wembley saw the Red Devils qualify for the Europa League.
As a result, fifth-place Spurs effectively dropped to sixth for the second Europa spot.
And it pushed Chelsea down a notch in the process too, with the Blues taking seventh-place Newcastle’s place in the Conference League.
The Magpies will have no European football at all next term.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
But Chelsea now find themselves in uncharted waters, with the Conference League only in its third season.
Roma won the inaugural competition, with West Ham landing the prize last year.
This term’s final will see either Fiorentina or Olympiakos crowned champions.
Yet fans were left horrified after seeing some of the teams involved in the Conference League next season.
Chelsea fans could be set to clock up some serious air miles, with teams from faraway lands like Lithuania, Georgia and Kosovo involved.
Estonia, Montenegro and Iceland also have representatives in the competition.
While there could even be a return to Azerbaijan, the scene of Chelsea’s 3-1 Europa League triumph over Arsenal five years ago.
And those hoping not to be involved in too much travel will be hoping for a fixture closer to home.
Linfield and Crusaders will be in from Northern Ireland, while Connah’s Quay Nomads, Bala Town and Caernarforn Town will represent Wales.
The Republic of Ireland also has several teams in Derry City and Shelbourne, while Scotland’s St Mirren will be hoping to get through qualifying.
And fans were left crossing their fingers over this summer’s group fixtures.
One said: “Please let it be a Scottish team.”
Another fan said: “FC Bruno’s Magpies from Gibraltar.”
One noted: “Away days at Crusaders.”
Another added: “Chelsea vs Slask Wroclaw. We will be there.”
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
