European champions Chelsea were left contemplating a long trip to Russia’s Rubin Kazan in their second leg following the Europa League quarter-final draw yesterday.

Lazio and Fenerbahce, who have both been in trouble with UEFA over fan behaviour, were paired in another tie while Tottenham, the only one of the quarter-finalists to have won the trophy, face FC Basel with the first leg in London.

Former European champions Benfica were drawn against Newcastle United, the third English Premier League side still in the competition.

“It’s a great draw for us,” Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said.

“The Estadio da Luz is a great venue. I’ve been there and it’s a fantastic stadium. Importantly, we are at home in the second leg and that will give us an advantage.”

Benfica came into the Europa League knock-out stages after finishing third in a Champions League group including Celtic and Barcelona, during which they achieved a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp.

Fenerbahce, at home in the first leg against Lazio, had to stage their last 16 second leg against Viktoria Plzen on Thursday behind closed doors after their fans set off fireworks during a previous home match against BATE Borisov.

Serie A side Lazio will play the second leg in an empty stadium in Rome as they complete a two-match sanction for racist behaviour of fans, poor organisation and firework-throwing during the group stage match against Borussia Moenchengladbach.

It was Lazio’s fourth racism offence this season.

Former Holland striker Patrick Kluivert, who carried out the draw for UEFA, said he believed an English side has a great chance of winning the competition.

Kluivert said: “There are three great teams from England and for sure one of those can lift the trophy but there will be other teams eager to do so too so that can only be good for the competition.”

The Draw

Chelsea vs Rubin Kazan
Tottenham vs FC Basel
Fenerbahce vs Lazio
Benfica vs Newcastle United
Note: First legs to be played on April 4, second legs April 11.