Source: SKY_Sports
Uefa to assess Fletcher appeal
Uefa have confirmed their disciplinary body will meet on Monday to discuss Manchester United's appeal against the red card branded to Darren Fletcher in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal.[LNB] Fletcher was given his marching orders as the Red Devils booked their place in Rome after sending Cesc Fabregas tumbling inside the penalty area in the second-half.[LNB]Even United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believed Italian referee Roberto Rosetti had got the decision spot on, only to then see a replay that proved Fletcher had flicked the ball away from the Gunners captain before flattening him.[LNB]Although there is no appeals process, United have now written to Uefa, pleading Fletcher's case on compassionate grounds and the football governing body will assess whether the Scottish midfielder has just cause to have the red card rescinded.[LNB]However, Ferguson has confessed there is little hope for his fellow countryman and he does not expect United to be successful in their attempt to get Fletcher's Champions League final ban overturned.[LNB]"I am not optimistic at all," said Ferguson.[LNB]"We have to do it for Darren and sometimes in these situations, you never know.[LNB]"But I don't think it will be overturned. The referee made an honest decision."[LNB]The calm way Fletcher dealt with the decision, which is only made worse by the fact he was an unused substitute in last season's penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea, contrasted sharply with the scenes witnessed at Stamford Bridge 24 hours later, for which Didier Drogba has apologised.[LNB]Credit"Darren is quite a placid lad," Ferguson added.[LNB]"He is not an over-emotional boy. He just accepts it. He takes great credit for the way he handled it.[LNB]"I honestly believed the referee made the right decision at the time. From his angle - and from mine - it looked like a penalty.[LNB]"It was only when I saw the replay that I saw that Darren had managed to get his leg round Fabregas and flick the ball away.[LNB]"Darren is an honest player, so honest if he had been an old stager he would probably have let him go on and score.[LNB]"But he was still determined to try and do his job and prevent a goal. In the process he gave away a penalty."[LNB]Had it been a domestic contest, the Football Association would have looked at the incident again on video.[LNB]Uefa competitions offer no such redemption, with the United boss adamant it is a flaw that needs looking at.[LNB]"It seems to be a weakness in Uefa that part," he said.[LNB]
