nick_anarchy
24-02-2007, 08:55 AM
Uefa has rejected Lille's protest against Ryan Giggs' goal from a quickly-taken free-kick in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
The French club argued that referee Eric Braamhaar had made a 'technical error' in allowing Giggs to take the free-kick without blowing his whistle.
Lille had hoped to get the original result annulled and have the game replayed.
Uefa's Control and Disciplinary Body met to discuss Lille's complaint on Friday, but found no proof of an error by the official.
Lille have until midnight on Monday to appeal the decision.
"Having examined the official referee's report, the television evidence at hand as well as the Laws of the Game, the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body decided to reject the protest, as there was no proof of a technical error," a statement on Uefa's website read.
"As a result, the body declared that the goal was perfectly valid."
Giggs' goal turned out to be the winner in the first-leg of the first knockout round match in France and led to fury among Lille's players and officials.
Uefa has decided to open proceedings against Lille to investigate the actions of their players following the goal.
The statement continued: "Furthermore, the Control and Disciplinary Body decided to instigate proceedings against Lille for the improper behaviour of their players immediately after the goal."
The Control and Disciplinary Body will meet on March 22 to discuss the incident as well as possible safety and security violations by Lille and alleged improper conduct by both sets of fans.
The French club argued that referee Eric Braamhaar had made a 'technical error' in allowing Giggs to take the free-kick without blowing his whistle.
Lille had hoped to get the original result annulled and have the game replayed.
Uefa's Control and Disciplinary Body met to discuss Lille's complaint on Friday, but found no proof of an error by the official.
Lille have until midnight on Monday to appeal the decision.
"Having examined the official referee's report, the television evidence at hand as well as the Laws of the Game, the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body decided to reject the protest, as there was no proof of a technical error," a statement on Uefa's website read.
"As a result, the body declared that the goal was perfectly valid."
Giggs' goal turned out to be the winner in the first-leg of the first knockout round match in France and led to fury among Lille's players and officials.
Uefa has decided to open proceedings against Lille to investigate the actions of their players following the goal.
The statement continued: "Furthermore, the Control and Disciplinary Body decided to instigate proceedings against Lille for the improper behaviour of their players immediately after the goal."
The Control and Disciplinary Body will meet on March 22 to discuss the incident as well as possible safety and security violations by Lille and alleged improper conduct by both sets of fans.