Alex Ferguson's claims that the Champions League draw was fixed has been rejected by European football's governing body UEFA. The Manchester United boss cast doubt on the authenticity of the quarter-final draw after the Spanish and Italian clubs were kept apart.
But UEFA spokesman Mike Lee called Ferguson's statement silly and put it down to his trying to motivate his team ahead of this week's quarter-final against Real Madrid.
"It's a bit unfortunate, it's a bit silly and it's not true. It sounds a bit like some of Fergie's mind games that he sometimes plays ahead of major matches. If you're a player and you think the world's against you perhaps it helps to motivate you," said Lee.
Lee insisted Ferguson's claim was just one in a long line of accusations which are always levelled at the governing body by teams disappointed with their draws. "It is is just par for the course. It is a fair and open draw which hasproduced a fantastic ties," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
