Ref Cuneyt Cakir cleared over Nani's red card as UEFA begins proceedings against Manchester United

Ref Cuneyt Cakir has been let off the hook by UEFA — but Manchester United and Nani face raps.

Europe’s governing body had no problem with the Turk’s dismissal of Nani that incensed Old Trafford during Tuesday’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid.

Uefa has announced it is taking action against Manchester United following their controversial Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.

European football’s governing body has begun proceedings over Nani’s red card and also the “non-fulfilment of post-match media obligations” by the English club.

Portuguese winger Nani was dismissed by referee Cuneyt Cakir for an incident involving Alvaro Arbeloa which most observers did not feel even warranted a yellow card.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reacted angrily to the sending off and did not appear for the post-match interviews, with assistant Mike Phelan taking his place.

In addition, the Manchester United players walked through the “mixed zone” – an area where the waiting media can talk to players – without the required minimum of two stopping.

“It’s a distraught dressing room and a distraught manager,” Phelan said. “That’s why I am sitting here now.

“I don’t think the manager is in any fit state to talk to the referee about the decision. It speaks volumes that I am sitting here now rather than the manager of this fantastic football club. We are extremely disappointed and wondering what has happened and why it has happened.

“We feel as though we had the tactics right for the game on such a big occasion. We felt we were comfortable at 0-0. It was where we wanted to be, then we scored the goal that put us in a commanding position.

“We were in reasonable control and then the game totally changed. The decision was amazing but we had to carry on because it is hard enough playing Real Madrid with 11 men.

“Referees are there to make decisions but there is also an element of doing the right thing. All the media and a television audience watching all over the world will have an opinion on the decision but it was a disappointing one and it spoiled the game.”

However, a Uefa spokesman said of the dismissal: “There are no issues for us regarding the sending off.”

Also, there was no mention of the United players remonstrating with the Turkish officials at full-time including Rio Ferdinand sarcastically applauding Cakir.


be sociable, share...