Di Matteo would consider fighting bans

29 April 2012 09:17

Chelsea would be willing to join forces with Bayern Munich to try to overturn the yellow-card bans that will see six players miss the Champions League final, according to Roberto Di Matteo.

But caretaker Blues boss Di Matteo admitted it would be "very difficult" to convince UEFA to change their rules ahead of next month's Allianz Arena showpiece.

Asked if Chelsea would consider a joint bid with Bayern to get European football's governing body to change their minds, Di Matteo said: "If there's any possibility, we would consider it, of course. But I think it would prove very difficult."

Pleas for clemency from the international players' union, FIFPro, fell on deaf ears on Thursday when UEFA insisted they would not consider an amnesty for those who picked up yellow-card bans in this week's semi-final second legs.

Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles will all miss the final after being cautioned in the Blues' extraordinary semi-final second leg at Barcelona.

Bayern, meanwhile, lost Holger Badstuber, David Alaba and Luiz Gustavo after their own semi triumph over Real Madrid.

Even if both clubs failed in any bid to overturn those bans, Di Matteo called for a rule change next season so an amnesty is introduced after the quarter-final stage.

That would bring the Champions League into line with the World Cup and European Championships.

Di Matteo said: "Maybe they'll look at it and maybe change it for the future.

"Right now, it would be difficult. It'll be nice if they did that."

Source: PA