Bayern’s Ribery banned for Champions League final

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Bayern’s Ribery banned for Champions League final

Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery will miss next month’s Champions League final after UEFA on Wednesday banned him for three matches for assault.

By (AFP)

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Published: Wed 28 Apr 2010, 8:36 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 3:54 AM

The Frenchman was shown a straight red card for treading on the foot of Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez in the first-leg semi-final last Wednesday, which Bayern won 1-0 in Munich.

He then missed Tuesday’s 3-0 second-leg win while serving part of the ban.

UEFA’s decision means he will miss the final in Madrid on May 22, against either Barcelona or Inter Milan.

‘That is a hard decision, it is a pity for both Franck and the team that he will miss the final,’ said Croatian striker Ivica Olic, who scored a hat-trick on Tuesday and has seven goals from this season’s European campaign.

‘He is an important player for us.’

Shortly after the announcement, Bayern said they would appeal the decision.

‘Franck Ribery and Bayern Munich will not accept this decison and will explore all avenues available,’ said spokesman Markus Hoerwick.

The loss of Ribery is a blow to the Bundesliga side in their bid to win the Champions League title, formerly known as the European Cup, for the fifth time.

They last won the title in 2001.

It has been a difficult few weeks for Ribery who was questioned by French police recently as part of their investigations into the under-age call-girl scandal which has rocked France’s national football team.

Should Bayern win the Champions League final, Ribery will also be banned for

the Super Cup final - between the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League - at the start of next season.

If Bayern lose the Champions League final, Ribery will miss the first game of next season’s European campaign.


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