Lille protest rejected

The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has rejected a protest lodged by LOSC Lille Métropole following Tuesday's UEFA Champions League first knockout round first-leg match against Manchester United FC in France.

Lille request
Lille had lodged a protest questioning the validity of the goal scored by Ryan Giggs in the 83rd minute of the game in Lens. The French club claimed there had been a technical mistake made by the referee when he allowed the match-winning free-kick to be taken without having blown his whistle beforehand, and were asking for the game to be replayed.

No proof
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. As a result, the body declared that the goal was perfectly valid. Furthermore, the Control and Disciplinary Body decided to instigate proceedings against Lille for the improper behaviour of their players immediately after the goal.

Appeal deadline
Lille may appeal against the decision to veto the protest by midnight on Monday 26 February. The other incidents which occurred at the match will be discussed at a separate meeting of the Control and Disciplinary Body scheduled for 22 March. UEFA announced on Wednesday that it was investigating possible violations of binding safety and security instructions by the host club, as well as the alleged improper conduct of both sets of supporters.