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Bayern Munich's French midfielder Franck Ribery argues with referee Roberto Rosetti after being shown a red card during the first leg UEFA Champions League semi-final football match FC Bayern Munich vs Lyon on April 20. Bayern are hoping Ribery is shown some leniency by European football's governing body UEFA over his red card in the 1-0 Champions League win over Lyon.

Ribery was shown a straight red by referee Roberto Rosetti in Wednesday night's first-leg, semi-final win after treading on Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez's ankle on 37 minutes.

The punishment looked harsh, especially as it was Ribery's first foul of the match and there were loud howls of protest from the 66,000-strong crowd.

Ribery, and Lyon defender Jeremy Toulalan who was also sent off, will miss Tuesday's second leg in Lyon.

The final length of Ribery's suspension, potentially covering the final on May 22 in Madrid if Bayern get that far, will not be decided until the UEFA disciplinary panel committee meets next Wednesday, the day after the semi-final return.

And Bayern's bosses are hoping for leniency.

"I don?t think you can give a red card for something like that," said Bayern's president Uli Hoeness on the club's website.

"It was a foul from the front, not from behind or the side.

"It?s debateable whether you should give anything at all, but if so, it?s a yellow."

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was also bemused, but admitted he had some sympathy for Rosetti in what was a highly-charged atmosphere.

"Sending Franck off was definitely harsh," said Rummenigge.

"I think it was too much, but unfortunately, we have to accept it.

"There?s no point criticising the referee. He?s made a decision and we can?t change it.

"It was anything but an easy match. It was an emotional game.

"I hope UEFA agree it was a very harsh decision and moderate the suspension so Franck is available if we reach the final," said Rummenigge.

Ribery, who watched the second half of the match on TV in the dressing room and left the Allianz Arena straight after the final whistle, now faces an anxious wait on UEFA?s decision.

It has been a difficult week for the 27-year-old who was linked to the under-age call-girl scandal which has rocked the French football team.

Bayern?s next opponents, Borussia Moenchengladbach and VfL Bochum, can expect to face a fired up and fully rested Ribery.

"I reckon he?ll be back with a bang on Saturday," confided goal-scorer Arjen Robben with Bayern set to face 'Gladbach.