SOCCER UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS:UEFA WILL decide next Wednesday whether Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery will face any more than the automatic one-game ban for his red card against Lyon on Wednesday night.
The France winger will definitely miss the return encounter at the Stade Gerland after being sent off in the 37th minute of the 1-0 first-leg win over Les Gones at the Allianz Arena for a challenge on Lisandro.
European football’s governing body yesterday confirmed to Bayern the 27-year-old will miss Tuesday’s second leg and said their disciplinary committee will sit down to discuss the matter the following day.
Bayern felt the decision by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti to dismiss Ribery was harsh and have called for Uefa to show leniency to the Frenchman and allow him to play in the final next month – should the Bavarians get there.
“The final would not be the same without Ribery,” said Bayern full back Philipp Lahm.
The Bundesliga club have been requested by Uefa to send a statement explaining their view of the incident, which left them with 10 men for over 50 minutes of last night’s game. Arjen Robben may have been Bayern Munich’s Champions League saviour once more but he was still forced to issue an apology following the 1-0 win in the first leg of their semi-final tie against Lyon.
Robben, whose goals against Fiorentina and Manchester United enabled the Bavarians to advance to the last four, netted the only goal at the Allianz Arena but then fell foul of coach Louis van Gaal by reacting petulantly to his late withdrawal. The two Dutchmen had a face-to-face confrontation on the touchline as Robben ignored Van Gaal’s outstretched hand.
The former Netherlands boss blocked his countryman and held him firmly while explaining his reasons for bringing him off.
Robben admitted afterwards his reaction was born of frustration.
“I had a really good feeling and felt I was really in the game and I could have scored another goal,” said the former Real Madrid man. “Therefore, I could not understand why I was being removed. But I have got to apologise to all of the fans because I shouldn’t do that. I should have been more professional, but this is just part of my mentality – I always want to win.”
Van Gaal insisted Robben had been taken off to preserve him for the weekend Bundesliga clash against Borussia Monchengladbach. “We need him to score goals for us in Monchengladbach too,” he said.
The spat was a downside on a good night for Bayern, although they may regret not pressing home their advantage when the contest became even following Jeremy Toulalan’s red card at the start of the second half.
