UEFA set date for Bayern´s Ribery appeal

Bayern Munich’s appeal against the three-match ban handed to Franck Ribery, which is set to keep him out of the Champions League final, will be heard by UEFA on May 5 in Nyon.

The Frenchman was shown a straight red card for treading on the foot of Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez in the first-leg semi-final on April 21 which Bayern won 1-0 in Munich.

UEFA handed down a three-match ban for “assault”, meaning Ribery missed the 3-0 second-leg win and also that he will miss the final in Madrid on May 22 against Italian side Inter Milan.

But Bayern are furious with the decision and want their star midfielder back for their first Champions League final since 2001.

“In detailing the reasons for their verdict from a jurisdictional point of view, UEFA said Ribery was guilty of assault,” said the club in a statement.

“Bayern cannot accept this verdict in any sense and holds that it is entirely false.

“The accusation of assault is inapplicable in this case.

“Ribery certainly cannot be accused of intentionally attempting to injure his opponent.

“The player in question, Lisandro Lopez of Olympique Lyon, was able to continue the match uninjured.”

Ribery is still available for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against Bochum and the final league game of the season at Hertha Berlin on May 8, as well as the German Cup final against Werder Bremen on May 15.