Parma appeal over firecracker

Parma have made an appeal to Europe’s top football governing body after their goalkeeper Luca Bucci was hit by a firework during Thursday’s UEFA Cup semi-final second-leg at CSKA Moscow.

Club administrator Luca Baraldi confirmed the club has already appealed after Bucci had to be substituted in the 20th minute of the first-half, having spent nine minutes struggling following the incident.

“I have already handed the papers to UEFA,” said Baraldi. “This is a very serious incident and it was right that the appeal was made immediately.”

The Italian club, who fell to a 3-0 aggregate defeat in Moscow after a goalless draw in the first leg, believe that UEFA should hand their rivals CSKA the punishment of a 3-0 forfeit, which would see Parma progress through to the final.

“In 48 hours we should have a decision by UEFA,” said Baraldi. “I really think that the result can be overturned.”

Parma had high hopes of reaching the final, having taken a goalless draw in the semi-final opener against the Russian giants, but they believe that Bucci’s forced substitution did affect their team.

The Gialloblu club believe that UEFA should follow the example they set with Internazionale following last month’s episode at the San Siro, which saw AC Milan goalkeeper Dida being hit by a flare during the Champions League quarter-final.

Inter, who were handed a 3-0 defeat, will have to play their next six European games behind closed doors.

“I see no difference to what happened to AC Milan’s Dida than with Bucci’s episode and I expect UEFA to evaluate this episode,” said Baraldi.