UEFA panel hand Shearer two-match ban

NEWCASTLE’S Champions League hopes received a second devastating blow yesterday when skipper Alan Shearer was handed a two-match ban.

The 32-year-old was convicted by UEFA’s disciplinary panel on video evidence over his clash with Inter Milan defender Fabio Cannavaro during Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat at St James’ Park.

He will now miss the trips to Barcelona on December 10 and Bayer Leverkusen on February 18, and with strike partner Craig Bellamy also facing a ban following his dismissal in the same match, United’s chances of an unlikely qualification for the last eight have receded even further.

Shearer was adjudged to have elbowed the Italian as he tried to free himself from the defender’s grasp as the pair waited for a free-kick to be delivered into the Inter penalty area during the first half of Wednesday’s game.

Neither referee Stephane Bre nor his assistants saw the incident, although the official spoke to both players and took no further action.

The ban comes as a huge blow, although Newcastle will feel aggrieved neither Materazzi’s role in Bellamy’s departure nor a crude tackle by Giovanni Pasquale were considered worthy of further investigation.

Shearer, who also missed his side’s last trip to the Nou Camp in 1997 after shattering his ankle on the eve of that season, claimed he had done nothing wrong following UEFA’s decision to charge him yesterday.

He said: ‘‘Remember, he had me in a bear hug and I tried as best I could to get loose. That’s the way they’re brought up to defend.

‘‘The referee saw what went on and called us over and chose to take no action. When he called us over, he said in good English ‘I’ll have no more from the both of you, now both go back into the middle.’

‘‘I’m not complaining about the way they defend because it’s an art, a wrestling match. I’m a big fan of Italian defenders. They’re the best and it’s a man’s game after all.’’