UEFA bans Bordeaux, Benfica players
BERNE (Switzerland), April 1: UEFA banned two Girondins Bordeaux players on Tuesday for a total of five European club matches after ugly scenes during their UEFA Cup defeat by Anderlecht.
Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo was also suspended for three games after being dismissed during a round of 16 first leg match against Spanish side Getafe.
UEFA issued a three-match ban to Bordeaux’s Benoit Tremoulinas, who was sent off in the 72nd minute of the round of 32 second leg match for stepping on the knee of an Anderlecht player.
Team-mate Johan Micoud was given a two-match ban for “insulting comments” aimed at an assistant referee following the Feb 21 game, according to a statement on UEFA’s website.
UEFA’s disciplinary body also banned Bordeaux masseur Marc Venet from carrying out his functions for two European matches for tripping one of the assistant referees in the tunnel after the game.
The French club, who will have three days to appeal against the decisions, were fined 32,000 Swiss Francs ($31,780) for “improper conduct”.
Belgians Anderlecht won the two-legged tie 3-2 on aggregate before going out to Bayern Munich 6-2 on aggregate.
Cardozo was red-carded in the ninth minute for elbowing a Getafe opponent in the face while challenging for the ball.
Benfica were also fined 10,000 Swiss Francs after some of their supporters threw flares.
—Reuters