Bayern to appeal against Ribéry's ban

Posted Thursday, April 29, 2010 by theguardian.com

Bayern to appeal against Ribéry's ban
Bayern's Franck Ribéry leaves the pitch after being sent off against Lyon.

Bayern Munich have confirmed their intention to appeal against the three-match ban handed to Franck Ribéry which is set to rule the Frenchman out of next month's Champions League final.

Uefa imposed the suspension today following a meeting of the organisation's control and disciplinary body, meaning Bayern will be without Ribery for the final against either Internazionale or Barcelona in Madrid on 22 May following his straight red card for a bad challenge on Lyon's Lisandro López during his side's 1-0 win at the Allianz Arena last week.

Ribéry has already served an automatic one-match suspension which forced him to miss his side's 3-0 win in the return leg of the semi-final at Stade Gerland.

Bayern had hoped Uefa would show leniency and cap Ribéry's ban at one game, but the governing body took a hardline stance.

"Uefa informed us of the decision, arguing that Franck Ribéry was guilty [of serious foul play]," said a Bayern statement. "We do not understand this decision in any way and consider it absolutely wrong.

"Franck Ribéry can certainly not be accused of violating his opponent intentionally. The player Lisandro López was able to continue the game. Bayern and Franck Ribéry will not accept the decision, but appeal and exhaust all possibilities."