UEFA has announced that they are releasing a new anthem this Champions League season, accompanied by an updated format. A change that has generated discontent among fans

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A new variation of the Champions League anthem sparks controversy in the media

UEFA has ignited a storm in the football world after announcing a change to one of the sport's most sacred symbols: the Champions League anthem. This week, the European body unveiled a revised version of the iconic piece of music, sparking a wave of negative reactions from fans that have quickly made their way onto social media.

The original anthem, composed in 1992 by Tony Britten, a British musician trained at the prestigious Royal College of Music, has been a mainstay of the Champions League identity for more than three decades. With its blend of choirs in three languages and powerful orchestration, it has accompanied countless epic football nights, becoming an inseparable melody of Europe's most prestigious competition.

However, this new version, announced on Wednesday 21 July, has opted for a change that has divided fans. The novelty lies in a greater prominence of the vocal part, to the detriment of the instrumentation that characterised the original version. This modification, although subtle, has been enough to spark the indignation of many fans, who have not hesitated to express their discontent on social networks.

On platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter), reactions were swift. ‘They've ruined football,’ exclaimed one user, while another wrote: ’Today football is in mourning. Fans' frustration is palpable, and critics point out that the change has diluted the essence that made the anthem such a special piece. Marc Mestre of La Vanguardia points out that, although the lyrics of the anthem remain intact, the changes to the tempo and some chords have meant that the melody has lost part of its original identity, leading many to consider that tradition has been betrayed.

The Champions League anthem is not just music; it is pure emotion, it is the prelude to historic moments, it is what gives goose bumps to millions of people before the ball starts rolling on the most eagerly awaited nights in football. That is why any change, no matter how small, has a profound impact on the football community.

In this case, UEFA's decision to alter such an iconic piece has been seen by many as an unnecessary attempt to modernise something that was already perfect. Fans, who have grown up and experienced countless epic moments to the tune, feel that an emotional connection has been broken, as if something fundamental to their football experience has been altered.

While some defend the update as a natural evolution to adapt to the new times, most comments point to a resistance to change, especially when it comes to such a long-established symbol. ‘They've killed the only thing that worked in football,’ criticised one fan on X, reflecting the sentiments of many who see the new version as an irreparable loss. Others lament that ‘there is nothing left of what made me a football fan’, underlining how the anthem was one of the few constants in a sport that, in many respects, has changed radically in recent years.

The debate over whether or not UEFA has made the right decision will surely continue over the coming weeks as fans get used, or not, to the new tune. What is clear, however, is that any alteration to such iconic elements as the Champions League anthem does not go unnoticed, and the emotional impact it has on fans is a reminder of how important these symbols are in football culture.

The Champions League is much more than a tournament, it is a tradition, and its anthem is one of its cornerstones. Time will tell if this new version will find its place in the hearts of the fans or if, on the contrary, it will become yet another example of how not all changes are welcome in the world of football.