Manchester United FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

United launch Fletcher appeal

07 May 2009 - 13:31:21

Click To Enlarge

Manchester United have appealed against Darren Fletcher's red card in Tuesday's Champions League victory at Arsenal on compassionate grounds.

The Scotland international is set to miss the Champions League Final against Barcelona after being sent off at the Emirates Stadium as United cruised to a 3-1 victory on the night to secure a 4-1 aggregate success.

Referee Roberto Rosetti ruled that Fletcher had committed a professional foul even though he appeared to legitimally take the ball from Cesc Fabregras.

United decided to lodge the appeal after UEFA's general secretary, David Taylor, 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."