Red Devils await Lille outcome

Manchester United will find out on Friday if their controversial Champions League last-16 first-leg victory over Lille is to stand.

The French side yesterday announced their intention to appeal against UEFA’s decision to dismiss their protest against Ryan Giggs’ winning goal at the Stade Felix-Bollaert.

European football’s governing body will consider their case again this week after the Ligue 1 outfit refused to accept the original ruling.

A statement released on Lille’s website, www.losc.fr, said: “President (Michel) Seydoux and the board of LOSC have decided to appeal against the decision made on Friday by the European authority.”

Lille are complaining that referee Eric Braamhaar should have blown his whistle before Giggs took the free kick that ultimately won the match for United.

“The true question is to determine how the Mancunian players came to take so quickly the free kick that led to the goal, as they showed signs of a different intention,” added the statement.

Lille refer to quotes attributed to Giggs after the match, which appear to say it was the referee who suggested the Wales winger take the free kick quickly.