Bayern Munich will be without Franck Ribery in next month's Champions League final after UEFA hit the midfielder with a three-game suspension for his dismissal against Lyon earlier this month.
The France international was sent off in the 37th minute of Bayern's 1-0 semi-final first-leg win against Lyon last week, and was suspended for last night's return leg which the German side won 3-0.
Bayern had hoped UEFA would show leniency and cap Ribery's ban at one game, but European football's governing body enforced a three-match suspension which rules the 27-year-old out of the final in Madrid on May 22, and one further game next season.
UEFA confirmed Bayern have the right to appeal the decision within three days of receiving official notification of the ban, and the Bundesliga club wasted little time taking up the option.
A Bayern statement read: ‘UEFA informed us of the decision, arguing that Franck Ribery was guilty [of serious foul play]. We do not understand this decision in any way and consider it absolutely wrong.
‘Franck Ribery can certainly not be accused of violating his opponent intentionally. The player Lisandro Lopez was able to continue the game.
‘Bayern and Franck Ribery will not accept the decision, but appeal and exhaust all possibilities.’
