Fletch offered red card hope
07 May 2009 - 10:59:31
UEFA general secretary David Taylor has hinted that Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher could still play in the Champions League Final against Barcelona later this month.
The Scotland international was sent off in Tuesday's 3-1 win at Arsenal in the semi-final second leg win of the competition when he was adjudged to have fouled Cesc Fabregas.
Replays showed Fletcher had played the ball, but UEFA confirmed on Wednesday that United did not have the right to appeal against the referee's decision.
However, Taylor has now said: "I've spoken with Sir Alex Ferguson personally on this - as fate would have it we shared a car after the match. We were rather thrown together but had an interesting discussion.
"He was very fair about the referee and what had happened but equally he was very disappointed for Darren, as are we all.
"I tried to give Alex as much advice as I could with regards the procedure in these circumstances.
"There is no formal process. But if the club want to write to us with information - such as video evidence - explaining why they think this is a harsh punishment then they can do that.
"The likelihood is that we'd then refer the matter to our disciplinary body. They would then look to see if there were any special circumstances to justify any departure from established procedures.
"I must stress there is normally no way these matters can be overturned.
"The ref may take the view a mistake has been made and include that in his report but that wouldn't be in any way decisive.
"It's an entirely discretionary thing, whether or not the committee feels there is reason to intervene.
"That's the position. Strictly speaking there's no appeal process but representation can be made and looked at."