Bohemians' Champions League qualifying round opponents Levadia Maardu have lost their appeal following a meeting of UEFA officials in Geneva this afternoon. The Estonian champions had been hoping to have their 3-0 first leg defeat in Dublin overturned after it transpired that one crossbar at Dalymount Park was two centimetres too low. Their original appeal was rejected last Friday, but with complaints about the size of their dressing room and having to walk 100 yards to get into the ground, they sought another hearing with Europe's top brass.
However, following a lengthy meeting, UEFA confirmed that the result would stand and Bohs would take their three-goal advantage into this evening's second leg in the Estonian capital of Tallinn. Earlier, Bohemians boss Pete Mahon admitted he was determined not to let the controversy distract his players. He insisted: "I haven't discussed it with them: we see it as gamesmanship on their part. If anything, their protesting will act as an incentive for us to make sure we bury them tonight. My understanding of their appeal is that it's too late and should have been made before the first game. I have every confidence in (Bohemians president) Phelim O'Reilly, who says it's not going to cause any problems."
O'Reilly was always confident that UEFA would dismiss the protest, and added this morning: "We feel the appeal has no realistic chance of succeeding. Nobody has told us what penalties would be imposed, but we are not expecting any. On a point of order, any complaints they may have had had to be made in writing before the game and they didn't do that. Their initial objection was thrown out and we're confident this appeal will be as well."
Mahon has named an unchanged side, with central defender Shaun Maher, who has had a sore ankle, and right-sided midfielder Paul Byrne (knee) both recovering from their knocks. Looking ahead to the game, Mahon stressed the importance of keeping it tight in the early stages. He claimed: "It will be crucial that we don't give away an early goal. We must keep them scoreless for as long as possible. We then have a good chance of scoring goals from any position. We are an attack-minded team." The Gypsies boss is confident that Bohs have enough strength in depth to secure a second round meeting with Swedish champions Halmstad BK. He added: "We are in a great position. Complacency is a fear, but I told the players that if that shows they can take a look at the bench as we have replacements for every position."
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A committed and disciplined display from Bohemians sees the teams scoreless at half-time. The game kicked-off at 5.30pm Irish time. Play has been suspended due to an electrical storm.
The Bohemians team is:
Russell, Shelley, Webb, Hunt, Shaun Maher, Avery, Paul Byrne, Caffrey, Nesovic, Crowe, Rutherford. Subs: Morrison, Michael Dempsey, Harkin, Quigley, O'Connor, Hill, O'Neill.
Filed by Shane Murray
