Mijailovic appeals ban

Wisla Krakow defender Nikola Mijailovic has appealed against the five-match ban imposed after he racially abused Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy.

Mijailovic was handed the ban after a UEFA investigation concluded the Serbian was guilty of making racist remarks towards the South African at the end of the UEFA Cup tie between the sides on October 19.

The 24-year-old has always maintained his innocence but admitted he and McCarthy were involved in a running battle throughout the match which was eventually won 2-1 by Mark Hughes’ side.

“During the game he used numerous swear words,” Mijailovic told Serbian newspaper Kurir a day after the contest.

“At the end of the match I tried to ignore him, but he came closer and started to wag his hands in front of me.

“I couldn’t stand that any more, so I pushed him, and that was all. But, after that, I couldn’t believe he was acting like a cissy. He claimed I used some racist comments. Nonsense! Both of us were swearing, but there was no racist abuse at all.”

The appeal against the sanction handed out by UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body is likely to be heard on Wednesday in Nyon.