In the course of 155 pages, no detail is considered too fine, no issue deemed too trivial. From the level of glare given off by the stadium lights to the size of a club mascot — “only slightly larger than a normal person” — the manual issued by UEFA to every entrant in the Champions League, soccer’s most glamorous club competition, covers it.
A vast majority of the teams preparing for the first round of group games this week, of course, will know many of the rules and regulations by heart. Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus and the defending champion, Real Madrid, are here every year.