CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Who is Sam Vines? United States player left out of Antwerp Champions League squad due to an admin error
An administrative error by the Belgian club left Sam Vines without the opportunity to play in the UEFA Champions League for the 23/24 Group Stage.
Royal Antwerp travel to Barcelona next week in the first round of UEFA Champions League group stage games, but they are going to have to do so without Sam Vines, an American player who was left out of their Champions League squad... by mistake.
This is the 24-year-old winger comes from Colorado, and will not be able to take part in any of his team’s games against Barça, Shakhtar or Porto after an admin error left him out of the registered squad of Champions League players.
Antwerp manager says Vines omission “a mistake”
“We didn’t do it well. Vines did belong on the list of those called up, but we made a mistake and it can no longer be corrected”, said manager Mark van Bommel, who addressed the issue to the press when it was picked up that poor Vines was not a part of the squad. Everyone wants to be on the list, of course he is disappointed”, he continued, “but now he is making an effort in his rehabilitation, that is the most important thing.”
Vines plays as a left-back and has played over 40 times for Royal Antwerp since his move from Colorado Rapids in 2021. The playing time of the world’s unluckiest footballer was cut short due to Vines fracturing his collar bone shortly after joining on a three-year deal, but he has since recovered his form.
Vines left out of USMNT squad
Perhaps the most gutting thing for poor Vines is that this is not even the first time the player has been left off a list of high importance. An injury right on the eve of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar meant that he was no longer an option for manager Gregg Berhalter to take as part of the USMNT who travelled for the tournament.
Will Vines be able to play if Antwerp make it through the group?
Yes. Each Champions League team presents a new squad for each round of the tournament, meaning that poor Vines will indeed be able to play in the Champions League if Antwerp make it through to the Round of 16. However, given the high calibre of opponent in the group, that seems unlikely at this stage, but who knows? Do it for the Vines, you might say.
