Players' chief Gordon Taylor calls for overturn on Manchester United star Fletcher's ban

10 May 2009 15:17
Players' chief Gordon Taylor has called on UEFA to rescind the Champions League final bans for both Manchester United's Darren Fletcher and Barcelona defender Eric Abidal. UEFA will meet on Monday to decide on United's appeal against Fletcher's red card, imposed for a foul on Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, but are expected to uphold the referee's decision. Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, said: 'Both Fletcher and Abidal have a case that they were unfortunate to be sent off, and I believe it would be only fair for UEFA to rescind the bans in both cases. 'If bans were rescinded for both players it would also balance things out too because it would benefit both of the clubs in the final. Taylor, who is also honorary president of the international players' union FIFPro, said he had no doubt that both red cards would have been overturned had they come under Football Association jurisdiction. He added: 'If it was in England I believe it's highly likely the red cards would have been rescinded after looking at the television evidence. 'UEFA should be mindful of the terrible consequences of the sendings off, particularly when they didn't look justified and the effect that will have on the players." UEFA's disciplinary body will meet tomorrow to deal with the appeal against Fletcher's dismissal but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is not holding out much hope. Ferguson said: 'We have to do it for Darren and sometimes in these situations, you never know. But I don't think it will be overturned. The referee made an honest decision."

Source: Daily_Mail