UEFA: No chance of reprieve for Fletcher
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Manchester United's hopes of overturning Darren Fletcher's red card have been dashed by UEFA, who state that overturning the Scot's suspension for the Champions League final would open a "Pandora's Box". UEFA have confirmed that a protest against a sending off would only be allowed on the basis on mistaken identity - and not on whether the referee had been too harsh. Head of communications Rob Faulkner said: "Manchester United have the right to file a protest within 24 hours of the match however a protest against a caution or sending off is only admissible if the referee's error was to mistake the identity of the player." United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped referee Roberto Rosetti would have admitted it was a mistake to give Fletcher a straight red card for a foul on Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas in the box. "He's one of the most honest players in the game and to miss the final, it's a tragedy," said Ferguson. "In respect to the referee in this situation he might look at it himself without anyone asking him." Although the English FA have moved towards a position where referees regularly rescind red cards, both UEFA and FIFA strictly maintain the rules that match officials' decisions should remain sacrosanct. A UEFA source added: "It opens Pandora's box if you can challenge every decision. And if you rule that it is not a red card, then you are also saying it is not a penalty, and therefore not a goal, and what do you do then - start changing the results of matches afterwards?" Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also admitted the red card was "very harsh" after television pictures clearly showed Scottish international Fletcher - a non-playing substitute at last year's final - played the ball.
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F*cked up.
They can change the rules to allow a 5th place team to qualify for UCL but not rescind a red card that was wrongly given. pfft.
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United beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates on Tuesday night to reach the Champions League final, but celebrations were soured after Darren Fletcher's red card means the Scot will miss the match. Fletcher was dismissed on 75 minutes after Italian referee Roberto Rosetti adjudged the midfielder had brought down Cesc Fabregas inside the Reds’ penalty area. TV commentators and pundits all agreed the decision was harsh, while Sir Alex said Fletcher had been “terribly unlucky�. “You can see the ball has moved in a different direction, away from Cesc Fabregas,� the boss told ITV. “I think Darren’s been terribly unlucky and unfortunately we can’t appeal the decision. “The referee’s probably one of the best in Europe but unfortunately there’s nothing we can do about it. “You saw his performance tonight and in all the big games over the last few years Darren’s always been key for us. I couldn’t tell you what my team would be in the final – it depends on who the opponents are, of course – but you’d have thought Darren would have figured in it.� Wayne Rooney admitted the mood in the dressing room after the final whistle had been affected by Fletcher's dismissal. “Everyone’s gutted for Darren,� Rooney told MUTV. “I think he won the ball, too. To miss a a big game like the Champions League final is heart-breaking. “But we’re all proud of this achievement. When we set out at the start of the season our aim was to retain the trophy and now we’re so close.�
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Its really tough la..think ppl should let this incident subside abit..but poor boy..for every champs league finals we have players missing out.Last yr was park..1999 was keane & scholes.
we can still cope.Fergie's midfield trio will continue and scoles will most probably replace fletcher in the midfield diamond formation if he still intends to use it in the finals.But he has stated already it would depend on opponents.
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Originally posted by omgukilledkenny:
F*cked up.
They can change the rules to allow a 5th place team to qualify for UCL but not rescind a red card that was wrongly given. pfft.
i wonder what team is that! simply blasphemous to the rules of the competition
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Originally posted by Master -_-:
i wonder what team is that! simply blasphemous to the rules of the competition
Yeah, which team was it????
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i think as much as we all think its a sucky decision and we feel for fletcher and wants him in the finals, at the end of the day i think should just let it be.. its unlucky, and tats football.. what matters most is that in every red devils eyes, we know what fletcher had done for us so far and we give him the utmost respect. remember scholes last time? next season, we will fight to the finals again and hopefully that time fletcher will win the game for us =) that will do him justice.. =D
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it won't happen because platini hates english club
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Originally posted by Dead_Man_Inc:
it won't happen because platini hates english club
oh ya hor, f*ck.
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we certainly need him if we want to combat Barca's free flowing midfield..
of course, if we get one good referee, good for both sides..