Champions League Rules
Yesterday Manchester United escaped a defeat at home to CSKA Moscow in the last 5 minutes of the game. 3-1 down just after half time they managed to get two goals back and qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League. One thing that crossed my mind during the game was regarding the appeals process.
Soon after United went 3-1 down they had a marvelous opportunity to get a goal back. The ball was played in from the right and just as Darren Fletcher was about to strike the ball goalwards the defender completely took his legs from under him. A penalty, a stone-wall one at that. So you would think.. The referee promptly booked Fletcher for simulation and gave a free kick the other way. A complete injustice and a real kick in the teeth for a man that missed the final of the tournament last year through bad luck in the penalty area again. That time he won the ball and got sent off for a foul as he was the last man.
The thing that really grinds me though is that Fletcher cannot appeal this yellow card. Why on earth should he have this yellow card against his name that could lead to further suspension later in the competition? Common sense from UEFA should insue, but I doubt that it will.
No Comments