No Uefa u-turn on final bans despite plea by player union

The international players’ union FIFPro has called on Uefa to “acquit” the players, three from either side, who were all suspended after being yellow-carded in the semi-finals.

FIFPro pointed out an apparent lack of consistency in relation to Euro 2012 where Uefa will waive existing yellow cards after the quarter-finals.

Europe’s governing body insisted that the rules that were in place when the competition started must stand for the final, with any future changes needing to go through a lengthy committee process. A Uefa spokesman said: “The regulations are established at the beginning of the competition and remain in place for the duration of the season.

“Any changes to the regulations for the future would need to be proposed by the club competitions committee and approved by the Uefa executive committee.”

The Chelsea players suspended are Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles, with Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber from Bayern.

Chelsea captain John Terry is also suspended for a red card in the semi-final against Barcelona, but he is not the subject of FIFPro’s plea for clemency.

FIFPro spokesman Simon Barker said: “Anybody committing a serious offence in the semi-final should be awarded a red card and miss the final. But the offences that result in a yellow card do not justify the serious punishment of missing the match of your life. For example Alaba slipped over and gets the ball kicked against his hand – it is not right that such a player should miss the Champions League final because of this.

“Some people say that this will give players the license to kick all and sundry during the semi-final, but that is utter nonsense. Any serious offence will result in a red card and that still means exclusion from the final.”

However, despite his ban Terry will still be allowed to lift the trophy if his team beat Bayern Munich, Uefa confirmed.

Terry was shown a straight red card for kneeing Alexis Sanchez in the back during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw at Barcelona in the semi-final second leg which sent them through to the final in Munich on 19 May.

“If Chelsea win the 2012 Uefa Champions League Final, John Terry will be allowed to lift the trophy and collect the medal,” Uefa said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Premier League has suspended the pre-match handshake at Sunday’s game between Chelsea and QPR due to the legal situation involving Terry and Anton Ferdinand.

Ferdinand’s lawyers had advised him not to shake Terry’s hand – the first time the pair would have met in a Barclays Premier League match since the Chelsea captain was accused of racially abusing the QPR player in October.

After taking legal advice, the Premier League has now decided to suspend the handshake convention.

A Premier League statement read: “The Premier League position on the pre-match handshake convention remains consistent. In all normal circumstances it must be observed.

“However, after discussions with both Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers about the potential and specific legal context in relation to John Terry and Anton Ferdinand the decision has been taken to suspend the handshake convention for Sunday’s match.”

Terry was charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence in December last year following the game. The former England captain has vowed to fight “tooth and nail” to clear his name in his trial, which takes place on 9 July.

The FA cancelled the pre-match handshake when the two clubs met in the FA Cup in January, but the Premier League had initially insisted the handshake between the two sides should go ahead this weekend.

That had been their policy when Liverpool met Manchester United following Luis Suarez’s ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra – when the Liverpool striker then caused a storm by snubbing the French defender.

Despite last night’s decision, the Premier League insists the fair play ritual, introduced in 2004, remains an important part of the game.