Source: Eurosport
UEFA rule out Fletcher appeal
Manchester United's hopes of overturning Darren Fletcher's red card have been dashed. [LNB] UEFA have confirmed that a protest against a sending off would only be allowed on the basis on mistaken identity - and not on whether the referee had been too harsh. [LNB] UEFA head of communications Rob Faulkner told PA Sport: "Manchester United have the right to file a protest within 24 hours of the match however a protest against a caution or sending off is only admissible if the referee's error was to mistake the identity of the player."[LNB] The decision means Fletcher will be suspended for the Champions League final in Rome later this month.[LNB] United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped referee Roberto Rosetti would have admitted it was a mistake to give Fletcher a straight red card for a foul on Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas in the box.[LNB] "He's one of the most honest players in the game and to miss the final, it's a tragedy," said Ferguson.[LNB] "In respect to the referee in this situation he might look at it himself without anyone asking him."[LNB] Although the Football Association have moved towards a position where referees regularly rescind red cards, both UEFA and FIFA strictly maintain the rules that match officials' decisions should remain sacrosanct.[LNB] A UEFA source added: "It opens Pandora's box if you can challenge every decision. And if you rule that it is not a red card, then you are also saying it is not a penalty, and therefore not a goal, and what do you do then - start changing the results of matches afterwards?"[LNB] Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also admitted the red card was "very harsh" after television pictures clearly showed Scottish international Fletcher - a non-playing substitute at last year's final - played the ball.
