United concede Fletcher defeat
UEFA had earlier rejected United’s protest against the Scotland midfielder’s red card in the semi-final against Arsenal and although the club have the right of a further appeal it was made clear they stood little chance of success.
Barcelona’s protests over defenders Eric Abidal and Dani Alves were also rejected by UEFA’s control and disciplinary committee yesterday, and those players too will miss the final in Rome on May 27.
A United spokesman said: “Darren is an honest player and we felt we should do what we could to try and help him become eligible for the Champions League final by initially protesting his dismissal.
“However, we respect the referee’s decision and we will therefore not be appealing against today’s ruling.”
UEFA said both United and Barcelona had missed the deadline for filing A protest but that there were no grounds for overturning suspensions in any case.
The ban will come as a huge blow for Fletcher, a non-playing substitute at last season’s final, who was sent off by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti for denying Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas a goal-scoring chance – television replays showed however he seemed to have won the ball.
Abidal’s red card against Chelsea was also viewed as harsh though Alves’ caution that will see him miss the final looked straightforward.
A UEFA statement said: “Even if they had been admitted they would have been rejected as unfounded as there were no grounds for contesting the referees’ original decisions.”
Meanwhile, Patrice Evra insists Carlos Tevez will never disrespect Manchester United. Tevez launched a last-ditch attempt to save his Red Devils career with a pointed goal celebration in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.
After claiming he had never even received an offer from United to try and extend his stay beyond a two-year loan spell that expires after the Champions League final, the Argentina star declared in an interview that he was now open to other offers.
Yet he could not resist one final attempt to persuade Alex Ferguson to sign him, running straight to the dug-outs and cupping his hands behind his ears as the noise rolled round the stadium demanding that he stays.
It has been viewed as part of a challenge to Ferguson’s authority. But Tevez’s close friend Evra views it differently.
“Carlos is a world class player but he is also a very good professional,” said Evra. “He may have had problems but in all the time he has played he respected the shirt of Manchester United.”
In a sense, Tevez’s future is out of Ferguson’s control.
There is little doubt the Scot would like to keep the former West Ham star – but not at £30million (€33.4m), the cost Tevez’s advisor Kia Joorabchian feels he is worth.
As any deal to keep him in England would presumably include total loss of Joorabchian’s third-party ownership of the South American, a similar fee would be required for it to be worthwhile Tevez joining Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea or any other potential Premier League suitor.
City undoubtedly have the resources. They do not however have the status, as was proved on Sunday when they struggled to contain their illustrious neighbours.
Indeed, while Tevez might be unhappy at the number of times he has been overlooked this season, his record of 48 appearances compares to the 40 Robinho has made for City, a figure that does not include any major semi-finals or finals.
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