Harsh red card robs distraught Fletcher of chance to play in European Cup final

Published on Wednesday 6 May 2009 00:34

DARREN Fletcher will miss the Uefa Champions League final in Rome on 27 May after he was harshly sent off during an otherwise glorious night for Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson's side brushed Arsenal aside 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Fletcher had helped the reigning champions establish a 3-0 lead thanks to an eighth-minute goal from Ji-Sung Park and a brilliant Cristiano Ronaldo double, but the Scotland internationalist was dismissed in the 75th minute by referee Roberto Rosetti for a last-man challenge in the box on Cesc Fabregas.

The Italian official deemed the tackle a professional foul, although television replays clearly showed that Fletcher had made contact with the ball before the Arsenal midfielder tumbled to the ground. Robin Van Persie scored the resulting penalty to give the Gunners a consolation goal, but United cruised through the final stages with ten-men for a 4-1 aggregate victory.

Fletcher, who was an unused substitute in last season's Champions League triumph against Chelsea, has no hope of an appeal, as the rules state that only a case of mistaken identity can prompt a red card to be rescinded.

• Update (10.50am): Manchester United will not be able to appeal against Darren Fletcher's red card, UEFA today confirmed.

• Online Poll: Should Uefa review their rules after Man Utd were unable to appeal Darren Fletcher's red card?

The 25-year-old will, therefore, have to sit and watch from the sidelines in Rome when United take on the winners of tonight's second semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona.

Ferguson said: "He's (Fletcher] disappointed and he should be disappointed. He's one of the most honest players in the game and to miss the final, it's a tragedy. He was distraught.

"In respect to the referee in this situation he might look at it himself without anyone asking him. We shouldn't ask him. He's competent and fair enough to look at it himself possibly. Apparently, you can't appeal and if that's the case it's disappointing for the boy.

"You can see the ball has moved in a different direction. It moves away from Cesc Fabregas. It's terribly unlucky

"The referee is probably one of the best in Europe. But there's nothing you can do about it. You can't appeal."

Fletcher has had arguably his best season at United, helping them to the brink of another Premier League title, and Ferguson suggested the midfielder would almost certainly have had a major role to play in the Champions League final in Rome. "You see his performance tonight - and in all the big games recently Darren has always been a key player for me," said the Old Trafford manager. "I can't tell you what my team would be (for the final], it depends on opponents, but you would think Darren would figure largely in it."

Arsenal manager Arsenal Wenger described the red card as "very harsh" and match-winner Ronaldo was also full of sympathy for the crestfallen Fletcher after the game. "It is very disappointing, he deserves to be in the final because he is a fantastic player, he runs a lot and is a team player," said Ronaldo. "He deserves to play in the final but this is football."

Ferguson will be bidding to lead his side to a third Champions League trophy. They got off to a dream start in London last night, Park seizing on an ungainly slip by Arsenal teenager Kieran Gibbs to open the scoring, before Ronaldo's 35-yard free-kick deceived the bewildered Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia two minutes later.

United sealed victory in the 61st minute with a sweeping move started and finished by Ronaldo after a beautifully weighted unselfish pass from Wayne Rooney.

Ferguson singled Ronaldo out for special praise. He said: "They couldn't handle him. That made the difference for us. When we transferred ball to Ronaldo it was a big problem for them. Everyone played for each other. They all played their part. Ronaldo was the difference.

"We got a good start. Two quick goals knocked the wind out of their sails. It was a mountain to climb for them. Arsenal were throwing everything forward and we caught them on the counter attack and the speed of play was fantastic."

Wenger also admitted that Ronaldo was the man they could not handle. He said: "Tonight we were caught by a team who have the art to kill and take advantage of every mistake. Ronaldo gave us a tough time.

"The most disappointing thing is the game was over before it started. We can only look at ourselves. It is disappointing to fight such a long way and then give the game away as we did."

Looking ahead to who might face United in the final, Ferguson said: "Barcelona have fantastic players, I was drooling watching them (in the 6-2 win against Real Madrid]. But at Chelsea with no centre-back – that might cost them."