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Darren Fletcher to miss Champions League final after appeal fails
11 May 2009UEFA have rejected Manchester United's protest against Darren Fletcher's red card and the midfielder will be suspended for the Champions League final against Barcelona in Rome.
Barcelona also had a similar protest on behalf of two players turned down and both Eric Abidal and Daniel Alves will also miss the final.
Both clubs have three days to appeal against today's decision.
UEFA said in a statement: "All three players are therefore suspended for one UEFA club competition match and will serve their bans when Barcelona meet Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final in Rome on May 27.
"In reaching its decision, the Control and Disciplinary Body concluded (i) that the protests had not been submitted within the required 24-hour deadline of a match for filing protests - as specified in the disciplinary regulations - and (ii) that even if they had been admitted they would have been rejected as unfounded as there were no grounds for contesting the referees' original decisions."
Reader views (2)
Oh dear. This hasn't spoilt my day
- Michael, Kensington, UK, 11/05/2009 22:55
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I don't see how this has been allowed as there is clear video footage that Fletcher played the ball and that the ref simply made a mistake.
Why should Fletcher be punished for that?
UEFA just do not like the fact that an English club is simply the best!
- Kate, London, 11/05/2009 17:27
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