The 2023-24 Europa League Draw produces three group stage rematch’s including West Ham vs Freiburg, here’s why this is allowed

The draw for the 2023-24 Europa League round of 16 has just took place with some juicy matches set to take place over the coming weeks. 

One match-up many may of not expected is a repeat of West Ham vs Freiburg.

David Moyes’ side played the German outfit twice in their Europa League group stage, beating them on both occasions.

They won their home tie 2-0 and the away tie 2-1, so why has this happened?

Why are they allowed to play each other again?

The 2023-24 Europa League round of 16 draw took place this morning

West Ham and Freiburg were drawn against one another in the round of 16 despite playing each other in the group stages

The reason although controversial depending on who you ask is pretty simple.

The only rule UEFA has for the draw is teams from the same country can’t play each other.

Every other match-up is up for grabs. 

West Ham and Freiburg aren’t the only team to suffer a similar faith. Atalanta, Sporting Lisbon, Qarabag and Bayer Leverkusen all find themselves in the same position. 

Atalanta and Sporting Lisbon faced each other in Group D. 

Unlike the West Ham results which were fairly one sided, one of these games finished in a 1-1 draw whilst Atalanta edged Sporting in their home fixture on a score line of 2-1.

Atalanta and Sporting Lisbon face each other in the Europa League round of 16 despited playing one another in the group stages

Similarly Xabi Alonso’s side Bayer Leverkusen went up against Qarabag in Group H.

Leverkusen fans will be pretty pleased with the draw as the German side registered to wins, one of which was a monstrous score line 5-.