Real Madrid Football Club

• Nickname:Los Merengues
• Founded:1902
• Manager:Jose Mourinho

• Ground:Santiago Bernabéu,
• Capacity:80354

Madrid fail with UEFA appeal

09 Jan 2009 - 08:24:40

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Real Madrid have been knocked back by UEFA in their bid to register both Lassana Diarra and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to play in the Champions League knockout stages.

Real had hoped to overturn a rule which stipulated that only one player who has already played in a European competition other than the Champions League can be registered.

Both January signings Diarra and Huntelaar had featured in the UEFA Cup for their previous clubs for Portsmouth and Ajax respectively.

But UEFA have rejected Real's appeal and now the Spanish side must decide which player to register for the remainder of this season's competition.

Coach Juande Ramos is believed to favour adding Diarra to his depleted midfield options.

"UEFA confirmed that its Control and Disciplinary Body has reviewed the request of Real Madrid to be able to register two players who have already competed in UEFA competition this season as part of their A-list squad for the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League," read a statement.

"The European body confirms that this was rejected in accordance with article 17.18 in the competition regulations which states that only one player who has played UEFA club competition matches for another competing club in the current season may exceptionally be registered. Any appeal to this decision will be heard next week."

Madrid could now take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.