Sport : Football

DI MATTEO CALLS FOR UEFA RULES CHANGE

27th April 2012, 03:49pm

Bet with SkyBet  Champions League. Click here to bet.

Roberto Di Matteo: Disappointed for suspended players

Roberto Di Matteo: Disappointed for suspended players

Roberto Di Matteo has called for UEFA to change the rules that have seen four of Chelsea's players suspended for the Champions League final.

The Blues' stunning semi-final comeback to beat Barcelona came at a huge cost, with captain John Terry sent off and Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles picking up yellow cards that mean they will also miss the May 19 clash with Bayern Munich.

Bayern also have three players banned for the showpiece at their own Allianz Arena and UEFA rejected pleas for clemency on Thursday for all those punished for bookable offences.

European football's governing body have followed FIFA's lead at the 2010 World Cup by introducing a yellow-card amnesty after the quarter-final stage of this summer's European Championships.

Asked if that should be extended to the Champions League, Chelsea caretaker boss Di Matteo said: "That would be ideal. They might have to look at the laws for the future."

He added: "I do feel disappointed that all these players are going to miss the final.

"It would be good that both teams would have the whole squad available for the final. That would be the best measure.

"I think everybody involved in football would have liked to have seen both teams have all the players available to play this game."

Di Matteo welcomed UEFA's decision to allow Terry to lift the European Cup were Chelsea to win the final, amid fears suspended players would be excluded from the trophy presentation.

He said: "They used a bit of common sense. That's a good decision."

The Italian also had no problem with Bayern enjoying home advantage in the final.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish hit out on Thursday at the decision to stage the match at the stadium of one of the participating teams but Di Matteo said: "When you set the place or the stadium for the final, you don't know who's going to be there.

"It's impossible to know before. It's just a coincidence that it's Munich."

However, Di Matteo admitted that could make it harder for his side than if they had faced beaten semi-finalists Real Madrid.

He said: "Bayern are a historical team, they have a big tradition in European Cups, and will be playing in Munich on their home ground.

"So it'll be as difficult, if not more so, as Real."

Bet with SkyBet  Champions League. Click here to bet.

Football Videos

    Wright's message for fans

    Wright's message for fans

    18-June-2013

    The new manager of St Johnstone, Tommy Wright, has urged supporters to have patience after the success of last season.

    Football League celebrates anniversary

    Football League celebrates anniversary

    18-June-2013

    The Football League is to mark the 125th anniversary of its first season with a programme of special anniversary league fixtures to be played on the opening weekend of the new season.

    Kinnear defends appointment

    Kinnear defends appointment

    18-June-2013

    Joe Kinnear has given a bizarre radio interview to talkSPORT in which he mispronounced players names and made incorrect claims about his signings.

    Coyle excited to get started

    Coyle excited to get started

    17-June-2013

    Owen Coyle says he is excited to get started at his new club Wigan.

    Sky Bet

      • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

    Facebook Favourites