Man Utd Thread:

[Archie Mitchell]

Sure its the same for the All-Ireland Football and Hurling finals. Competing counties dont get that much but always end up with the vast majority of the tickets some way or another.

[EC Unique]

Uefa have confirmed their disciplinary body will meet on Monday to discuss Manchester United's appeal against the red card branded to Darren Fletcher in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal.

Fletcher was given his marching orders as the Red Devils booked their place in Rome after sending Cesc Fabregas tumbling inside the penalty area in the second-half.

Even United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believed Italian referee Roberto Rosetti had got the decision spot on, only to then see a replay that proved Fletcher had flicked the ball away from the Gunners captain before flattening him.

Although there is no appeals process, United have now written to Uefa, pleading Fletcher's case on compassionate grounds and the football governing body will assess whether the Scottish midfielder has just cause to have the red card rescinded.

However, Ferguson has confessed there is little hope for his fellow countryman and he does not expect United to be successful in their attempt to get Fletcher's Champions League final ban overturned.

"I am not optimistic at all," said Ferguson.

"We have to do it for Darren and sometimes in these situations, you never know.

"But I don't think it will be overturned. The referee made an honest decision."

The calm way Fletcher dealt with the decision, which is only made worse by the fact he was an unused substitute in last season's penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea, contrasted sharply with the scenes witnessed at Stamford Bridge 24 hours later, for which Didier Drogba has apologised.

"Darren is quite a placid lad," Ferguson added.

"He is not an over-emotional boy. He just accepts it. He takes great credit for the way he handled it.

"I honestly believed the referee made the right decision at the time. From his angle - and from mine - it looked like a penalty.

"It was only when I saw the replay that I saw that Darren had managed to get his leg round Fabregas and flick the ball away.

"Darren is an honest player, so honest if he had been an old stager he would probably have let him go on and score.

"But he was still determined to try and do his job and prevent a goal. In the process he gave away a penalty."

Had it been a domestic contest, the Football Association would have looked at the incident again on video.

Uefa competitions offer no such redemption, with the United boss adamant it is a flaw that needs looking at.

"It seems to be a weakness in Uefa that part," he said.

[The GAA]

OOPS!

[Minder]

One more wont hurt...........


Uefa to assess Fletcher appeal

Uefa have confirmed their disciplinary body will meet on Monday to discuss Manchester United's appeal against the red card branded to Darren Fletcher in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal.

Fletcher was given his marching orders as the Red Devils booked their place in Rome after sending Cesc Fabregas tumbling inside the penalty area in the second-half.

Even United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believed Italian referee Roberto Rosetti had got the decision spot on, only to then see a replay that proved Fletcher had flicked the ball away from the Gunners captain before flattening him.

Although there is no appeals process, United have now written to Uefa, pleading Fletcher's case on compassionate grounds and the football governing body will assess whether the Scottish midfielder has just cause to have the red card rescinded.

However, Ferguson has confessed there is little hope for his fellow countryman and he does not expect United to be successful in their attempt to get Fletcher's Champions League final ban overturned.

"I am not optimistic at all," said Ferguson.

"We have to do it for Darren and sometimes in these situations, you never know.

"But I don't think it will be overturned. The referee made an honest decision."

The calm way Fletcher dealt with the decision, which is only made worse by the fact he was an unused substitute in last season's penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea, contrasted sharply with the scenes witnessed at Stamford Bridge 24 hours later, for which Didier Drogba has apologised.

Credit
"Darren is quite a placid lad," Ferguson added.

"He is not an over-emotional boy. He just accepts it. He takes great credit for the way he handled it.

"I honestly believed the referee made the right decision at the time. From his angle - and from mine - it looked like a penalty.

"It was only when I saw the replay that I saw that Darren had managed to get his leg round Fabregas and flick the ball away.

"Darren is an honest player, so honest if he had been an old stager he would probably have let him go on and score.

"But he was still determined to try and do his job and prevent a goal. In the process he gave away a penalty."

Had it been a domestic contest, the Football Association would have looked at the incident again on video.

Uefa competitions offer no such redemption, with the United boss adamant it is a flaw that needs looking at.

"It seems to be a weakness in Uefa that part," he said.

[corn02]

Compassionate grounds? Jesus.
If Fletcher gets off Abidal will too, then the ruls will be changed.

[Minder]

Compassionate grounds? Jesus.
If Fletcher gets off Abidal will too, then the ruls will be changed.

Did his hamster die or what? Barcelona are not appealing Abidals red card.

[The GAA]

Compassionate grounds? Jesus.
If Fletcher gets off Abidal will too, then the ruls will be changed.

Did his hamster die or what? Barcelona are not appealing Abidals red card.

Cos he's shite....

[thebigfella]

I think they might let him off and throw the book at Drogba.

You look at the way he conducted himself after the decision, in fact the entire Utd team (granted it wasn't a decision that would affect the outcome of the game, not sure what would happened if it handed advantage to the Gooners  ) handled themselves may count in his favour. 

[Minder]

I think they might let him off and throw the book at Drogba.

You look at the way he conducted himself after the decision, in fact the entire Utd team (granted it wasn't a decision that would affect the outcome of the game, not sure what would happened if it handed advantage to the Gooners  ) handled themselves may count in his favour. 

So they will let him off because he didnt deck the ref?

[EC Unique]

IF they let him off it will be because they decide that the ref made a mistake in sending him off in the first place. This would in turn force a change in the rules where as if a ref makes a mistake an appeal can be lodged by the player/club to have it over turned. This would be a good thing for all clubs in the future. This time next year it could be Liverpool in the final (heaven forbid!) with Gerrard on an unfair red and very glad of such a system!

[Minder]

IF they let him off it will be because they decide that the ref made a mistake in sending him off in the first place. This would in turn force a change in the rules where as if a ref makes a mistake an appeal can be lodged by the player/club to have it over turned. This would be a good thing for all clubs in the future. This time next year it could be Liverpool in the final (heaven forbid!) with Gerrard on an unfair red and very glad of such a system!

Has the ref admitted it was a "mistake" ? There is no mechanism where they can let him off though, it wasnt mistaken identity, surely they would have to change the rules first.........

[corn02]

The rule is a stupid one, and it should be changed, but a altered a few weeks before the final? Not right.

At the end of the day all temas knew the rules going into the competition. Fletcher won't play anyway.

[Doogie Browser]

Fergie is being so relaxed about this because he wasn't going to play Fletcher in the final anyway so it saves him the trouble of dropping him - when has he ever been so calm about officialdom??  Scholes/Carrick/Anderson will be in the middle with Park and Rooney on the wings and Ronaldo up front (or swap with Rooney).

[cavan4ever]

[EC Unique]

Do you mean if he was available he won't play? If so I would disagree as he played in most big games this season and his defensive qualities would make him a cert for me but I don't think he will be available.

The only good thing to come of this is that it may force them to change the rules from the start of next year...