Champions League - Madrid withdraw CAS appeal

Eurosport - Tue, 27 Jan 16:44:00 2009

Real Madrid have dropped their appeal to register new signings Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Lassana Diarra for the Champions League, the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 - Real Madrid - Diarra - 0

The decision follows a meeting between the Liga champions' new president, Vicente Boluda, and UEFA chief Michel Platini. A Real spokesman said the club would not decide which of the two players to register until the end of this month.

UEFA said Real had agreed to drop their appeal to the CAS following an "open and sincere" meeting between Platini and Boluda at UEFA's Swiss headquarters.

UEFA added that Real had accepted its original ruling that only one of the players could be selected when the competition's final phase gets underway in February.

"This does not come as a surprise to me," Platini said in the UEFA statement. "Real Madrid are one of the most successful teams in European football and have a great tradition."

Champions League regulations dictate that clubs can register up to three new players for the knockout stage but only one who has already played this season in Europe with his previous club.

Netherlands striker Huntelaar and France midfielder Diarra have already played in the UEFA Cup this season for Ajax and Portsmouth respectively.

Real, who face Liverpool in the Champions League last 16, had argued that the rule was discriminatory, pointing to players who can play in two European competitions when their clubs drop from the Champions League into the UEFA Cup.

Asked which of the pair would be chosen, the Real spokesman said a decision would be taken on the final day of this month but noted Diarra had been in the starting lineup in most of Real's recent matches, with Huntelaar on the bench.

Spanish media reports have said Real coach Juande Ramos preferred the Frenchman over the Dutchman.

Platini said UEFA could discuss whether the regulations might be amended in the future but said the issues raised by Real "cannot have any influence on the current season".

CAS confirmed the withdrawal of Real's appeal on its website before UEFA issued its own statement.

Real will host Liverpool at the Bernabeu on February 25 and visit Anfield on March 10.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 18 of 18

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  1. ok chechenr, a greater club than Madid? Where do i­ start? United Barca Liverpool Inter AC MIlan­ Bayern......need any more examples? Real are S.H.I.T.

    From alextheo1994, on Sat 31 Jan 11:31AM

  2. @#$% YOU ALL

    From riadh, on Thu 29 Jan 12:38AM

  3. white muppets! a total bunch of 3rd rate douchebags!

    From Abby, on Tue 27 Jan 6:07PM

  4. i hope all english clubs lose in the champions league.­ The italians are going to dominate. and real madrid­ will win their ruling.

    From marjusrafaeli, on Sat 24 Jan 8:27PM

  5. Shut up scousers! Liverpool were allowed to play­ Champions League when they finished 5th - what was­ that? And when Barca, Man Utd & Milan do it - it is­ fine ... holier than thou ... this is @#$% ...

    Real­ shouldn't do it, but I am sick of the comments from­ people ...

    From mayur.madridista, on Sat 24 Jan 8:20PM

  6. They are fighting this ruling because they want a full­ strength squad, this is no different to Liverpool­ fighting a similar ruling so that they could play­ Mascherano. Simply way to stop all this; is either do­ away with the silly rule or don't have a january­ transfer window-that way no player could have already­ played for another club during the same season.

    From darryl.jacobs, on Sat 24 Jan 5:38PM

  7. What else is new???.... the Club Blanco will use any­ means to get what they want!!! ...Everyone wants to­ win....but this club wants to win at any cost...­ Pity!!!

    From marilacson, on Wed 21 Jan 4:55PM

  8. comon guys, dony 4got just few years ago liverpool­ where 5th in the premier league but where still allowed­ to play in the champions league in the expence of­ Eveton even though everton was allowed to play in the­ playoffs, so thats not bending the rules, only cos­ R.Madrid want 1 player registered.........you guys i­ think just scared of the threats Real can cause.

    From Abba kibiya, on Wed 21 Jan 6:59AM

  9. well why not appeal?... worse that can happen is that­ they get rejected again...

    From bhsieh28, on Wed 21 Jan 1:02AM

  10. cause they are R.MADRRID! show me a greater club!?­ non!

    From chechenr, on Tue 20 Jan 11:54PM

  11. crash and burn real... cheatin' @#$%

    From jesper nørgaard, on Tue 20 Jan 11:20PM

  12. Such a bunch of pompous @#$% for a 3rd rate team...

    From DCL, on Tue 20 Jan 5:29PM

  13. one word to describe these white muppets:­ DOUCHEBAGS....get over yourselves...

    From Abby, on Tue 20 Jan 5:11PM

  14. Kathleen.39 - lets get stoned then have sex......

    From Terry D, on Tue 20 Jan 4:18PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    they fight the rules cause they are playing Liverpool­ and Real know they will probably lose unless they can­ have their full squad. Liverpool are probably still the­ best in Europe.

    From zehst, on Tue 20 Jan 12:48PM

  16. whay all the time real need`s to fight the­ rules.....who are they????

    From Deac, on Mon 19 Jan 10:19AM

  17. @#$% sex les get stoned

    From kathleen.39, on Sun 18 Jan 3:06PM

  18. lets av SEX..S EX X

    From junaid.zaki, on Sat 17 Jan 2:15PM
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