28.04.2010
Bayern's Ribery banned for Champions League final
Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery will miss next month's Champions League final after UEFA banned him for three matches on Wednesday for assault.
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."
Bayern Munich now have three days in which to appeal the decision as they 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.
Source: © 2010 AFP - Ronny Hartmann
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Europe / Champions League 2009-10 .jpg)
