Tacchinardi handed two-match ban
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Article summary
Guilty of "gross unsporting conduct", Alessio Tacchinardi will sit out both legs of Juventus FC's quarter-final.
Article body
Red cards
Following an off-the-ball incident involving Madrid striker Ronaldo during extra time of the last-16 tie in Turin last Wednesday, both men were shown the red card by German referee Markus Merk. Juve won 2-0 to progress 2-1 on aggregate, meaning Tacchinardi, 29, faces an instant ban in this season's competition while Ronaldo - also suspended for two matches - will be unavailable when Madrid next return to European action.
Held back
UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body said: "In the 114th minute, Tacchinardi held Ronaldo back about 25 metres from the Juventus goal, preventing him taking his position close to the penalty area of Juventus. As a result, Ronaldo kicked Tacchinardi in the legs."
'Unsporting conduct'
UEFA regulations state that as a rule, a player who is sent off is suspended for the next game in a UEFA club competition. The Control and Disciplinary Body is entitled to augment this punishment, and did so in this case, finding Tacchinardi - the instigator - guilty of "gross unsporting conduct". Both players have until midnight on Saturday 19 March to appeal.
