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Uefa throws out Lille appeal
23/02/2007 20:04 - (SA)
Nyon - The Union of European Football Associations has rejected Lille's protest about Manchester United's controversial winning goal in their Champions League clash on Tuesday.
Lille players initially seemed to storm off the pitch following Ryan Giggs's 83rd-minute quick free-kick goal while the French team were still lining up their defensive wall.
Lille came under heavy criticism for their players' actions and Uefa said it would investigate, but the French club responded by making their own protest against the goal.
Lille had claimed the referee made a technical mistake in allowing the free-kick to be taken without having blown his whistle beforehand and asked for the game to be replayed.
However, the appeal seems to have backfired with Lille's players now facing an investigation following their protests which greeted the goal which gave United a 1-0 win.
Uefa said in a statement that it rejected Lille's protest, as "there was no proof of a technical error.
Lille can still appeal against Uefa's decision and have until Monday to do so.
They received some good news, though, as a meeting to investigate the behaviour of their players and security arrangements at the game will not take place until March 22, long after the second leg is played in Manchester, which at least rules out the possibility that Lille be thrown out of the competition.
Uefa announced earlier that it was investigating possible violations of safety and security instructions by the host club, as well as the alleged improper conduct of both sets of supporters.
23/02/2007 20:04 - (SA)
Nyon - The Union of European Football Associations has rejected Lille's protest about Manchester United's controversial winning goal in their Champions League clash on Tuesday.
Lille players initially seemed to storm off the pitch following Ryan Giggs's 83rd-minute quick free-kick goal while the French team were still lining up their defensive wall.
Lille came under heavy criticism for their players' actions and Uefa said it would investigate, but the French club responded by making their own protest against the goal.
Lille had claimed the referee made a technical mistake in allowing the free-kick to be taken without having blown his whistle beforehand and asked for the game to be replayed.
However, the appeal seems to have backfired with Lille's players now facing an investigation following their protests which greeted the goal which gave United a 1-0 win.
Uefa said in a statement that it rejected Lille's protest, as "there was no proof of a technical error.
Lille can still appeal against Uefa's decision and have until Monday to do so.
They received some good news, though, as a meeting to investigate the behaviour of their players and security arrangements at the game will not take place until March 22, long after the second leg is played in Manchester, which at least rules out the possibility that Lille be thrown out of the competition.
Uefa announced earlier that it was investigating possible violations of safety and security instructions by the host club, as well as the alleged improper conduct of both sets of supporters.