Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has called on UEFA to overhaul the regulations which will see six first-team players miss the Champions League final through suspension.
David Alaba, Luiz Gustavo and Holger Badstuber are all out of the May 19 showpiece against Chelsea at Bayern's own Allianz Arena after picking up yellow cards in Wednesday night's semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, which the German side won 3-1 on penalties after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.
Chelsea will also be without Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles due to their cautions in the second leg of their semi-final against Barcelona on Tuesday.
Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel on Wednesday led the calls for UEFA to look at their disciplinary rules, while international players' union FIFPro issued a plea for clemency to UEFA, insisting there is an argument to allow the players to be allowed to play.
Rummenigge says the suspensions are hard to take and has called on European football's governing body to follow FIFA's wiping the disciplinary slate clean in the latter stages of competitions.
"I'm deeply sad and sympathise greatly with three of our players who received third yellow cards and are unfortunately suspended for the final," Rummenigge said.
"The regulations need to be discussed, and probably should be changed.
"At the World Cup, yellow cards are cancelled after the group stage, but not in the Champions League.
"This is something we ought to change. But we can't change it now.
"The coach will still find a good solution, I'm convinced of that."
FIFA changed their rules for the 2010 World Cup to provide an amnesty after the quarter-finals to ensure no player could miss the final through a booking in the last four.
For UEFA to do the same, the Club Competitions Committee would have to propose such a rule change but it would not come in time for this year's final.
Meanwhile, Rummenigge believes it would be wrong for Bayern to think the hard work in the competition is already done after seeing off Madrid, and warned Chelsea will provide stern opposition in the final.
"It's all up for grabs on May 19," he told club website fcb.de. "It won't be easy.
"I must correct anyone who thinks the final against Chelsea will take care of itself - it won't. It'll be a tough match.
"We must not make the mistake of prematurely celebrating winning the Champions League. We still have to earn that."
Rummenigge was also pleased that Bayern had reached the final by winning at the Bernabeu, where they lost in the final to Inter Milan two years ago.
"We go into this final with great enthusiasm, great momentum and great pride," he said.
"We'll try and succeed (in the final), where we unfortunately came up short two years ago here in Madrid.
"That's why it's doubly pleasing that we've made it to the final right here, in the same place."
