Ahead of the UEFA Champions League finishing its first-ever opening league phase in January, the new format for European competitions took shape Friday with the draw for knockout playoffs in the third-tier Conference League. Eight winners of two-leg playoffs on February 13 and 20 will advance to the round of 16 scheduled in March, joining league leader Chelsea, third-place Fiorentina …
NYON, Switzerland — It is a rare win in modern soccer. The Conference League’s place in European soccer since launching in 2021 — and paying almost $300 million in prize money this season — is helping to keep its mostly unheralded clubs happy enough with UEFA to resist offers elsewhere. Waiting for them are Conference League leader Chelsea — which …
