UEFA has announced today that have rejected both the protests lodged by Real Madrid and the complaint made by Barcelona following the Champions League semi-final first leg between the two clubs last Wednesday.
The protests lodged by Madrid, against the behaviour of the Barcelona players during the match and against the red card shown to Pepe, are rejected. In the case of the behaviour of the Barcelona players, it was deemed that there was no common strategy to provoke, while in the case of Pepe, the referee’s factual decision is upheld. As a result, Pepe is suspended for the second leg on Tuesday.
The complaint lodged by Barcelona, against the comments made by Madrid coach José Mourinho to the press was also rejected. In this instance, Barcelona have been referred to the proceedings already brought against Mr Mourinho, which will be heard by the Control and Disciplinary Body on Friday 6 May. No new disciplinary proceedings are therefore to be opened against Mr Mourinho on the basis of the complaint lodged by Barcelona.
Both the above decisions are open to appeal within three days of the dispatch of the contested decisions.
