UEFA : Terry can collect trophy, no change on final suspensions

Chelsea captain John Terry will be able to lift the Champions League trophy and collect his medal should the Blues beat Bayern Munich, UEFA today confirmed.

However, UEFA have confirmed that they will not change their rules to allow six suspended Chelsea and Bayern Munich players to play in the Champions League final despite appeals for clemency.

The England defender is suspended for the final at the Allianz Arena on May 19 following his red card against Barcelona in Tuesday’s semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp.

However, despite having to watch the match from the stands, Europe’s governing body this afternoon confirmed Terry would be able to join in with any post-match celebrations.

A statement read: “If Chelsea win the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final, John Terry will be allowed to lift the trophy and collect the medal.”

Terry was shown a straight red card during the first half of the semi-final against Barcelona when he kneed Alexis Sanchez in the back.

Despite the setback, 10-man Chelsea went on to record a famous result as they held the hosts to a 2-2 draw as Fernando Torres struck a late goal to progress 3-2 on aggregate.

UEFA’s control and disciplinary body will decide the length of Terry’s suspension on May 31.

European football’s governing body have the power to extend the punishment, which would apply to next season’s European Super Cup and possibly early Champions League or Europa League matches.

Terry will be joined on the sidelines in Munich next month by Ramires, Raul Meireles and Branislav Ivanovic, who will all serve one-match bans after picking up their third bookings in the competition.

The international players’ union FIFPro has called on UEFA to “acquit” the players, three from either side, who were all suspended after being cautioned during the semi-finals.

FIFPro pointed out an apparent lack of consistency in relation to Euro 2012 where UEFA will waive existing yellow cards after the quarter-finals.

Europe’s governing body insisted that the rules that were in place when the competition started must stand for the final, with any future changes needing to go through a lengthy committee process.

A UEFA spokesman said: “The regulations of the competition are established at the beginning of the competition and remain in place for the duration of the season.

“Any changes to the regulations for the future would need to be proposed by the club competitions committee and approved by the UEFA executive committee.”

The Bayern Munich players suspended are Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber.

FIFPro spokesman Simon Barker said: “Anybody committing a serious offence in the semi-final should be awarded a red card and miss the final.

“But the offences that result in a yellow card do not justify the serious punishment of missing the match of your life.

“For example Alaba slipped over and gets the ball kicked against his hand – it is not right that such a player should miss the Champions League final because of this.

“Some people say that this will give players the license to kick all and sundry during the semi-final, but that is utter nonsense.

“Any serious offence will result in a red card and that still means exclusion from the final.”