UEFA throws out Real Madrid, Barca protests

UEFA has thrown out protests made by Real Madrid and Barcelona against each other following their ill-tempered Champions League semi-final first leg last week. Real Madrid had protested against diving and play-acting by Barcelona players who in turn complained about comments made by their opponents' coach Jose Mourinho.
UEFA themselves have brought charges against both teams who will face a disciplinary hearing on Friday. "The protests lodged by Real Madrid against the behaviour of the FC Barcelona players during the match and against the red card shown to Pepe are rejected," UEFA said in a statement on Monday.
"In the case of the behaviour of the Barcelona players, it was deemed that there was no common strategy to provoke the Real Madrid player, while in the case of Pepe, the referee's factual decision is upheld. "As a result, the player Pepe is suspended for the Barcelona-Real Madrid match on May 3. "The complaint lodged Barcelona against the comments made by the Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho to the press, was also rejected," UEFA said.
"In this instance, Barcelona have been referred to the proceedings already brought against Jose Mourinho which will be heard ... on May 6. "No new disciplinary proceedings are therefore to be opened against Jose Mourinho on the basis of the complaint lodged by FC Barcelona."
Two Lionel Messi goals gave Barcelona a 2-0 win in a match marred by incessant play acting and harrassment of the referee and linesmen by both teams. The second leg is at the Nou Camp on Tuesday. Pepe was sent off for a studs-up lunge at Daniel Alves in the second half while Mourinho was ordered from the touchline for the manner in which he protested the decision. A scuffle on the touchline at halftime led to a red card for Barcelona's reserve goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto.
UEFA will on Friday look into the red cards with the possibility of extending the automatic one-match bans for the offenders. European soccer's governing body will also investigate the comments by Mourinho, who implied that Barcelona received preferential treatment. Real Madrid could be sanctioned for missile-throwing and a pitch invasion.