UEFA rejects criticism over Nedved ban

UEFA chief executive Gerhard Aigner has ruled out a change to the disciplinary system in the wake of Pavel Nedved's suspension…

UEFA chief executive Gerhard Aigner has ruled out a change to the disciplinary system in the wake of Pavel Nedved's suspension from last night's Champions League final.

Juventus coach Marcello Lippi claimed the loss of his influential Czech playmaker was a factor behind his side's ineffective display in their penalty shoot-out defeat to AC Milan at Old Trafford.

Nedved picked up his third yellow card of the competition in the second leg of the semi-final win over Real Madrid, forcing him out of last night's all-Italian decider.

Aigner said: "I can understand Nedved's unhappiness at not being able to play . . . on the other hand though, the best way to get around such a situation would be not to get that third yellow card. Players have to respect the rules".

READ MORE

"If you look at the standards of behaviour in our football, we have standards on the field it would be difficult to find elsewhere . . . occasionally it hurts the players but that is why the system works".