Champions League

Roberto Di Matteo: We want bans overturned

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 29 April 2012

Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo says the club would be willing to join forces with Champions League final opponents Bayern Munich to overturn bans on players for next month's final.

Chelsea interim manger Roberto Di Matteo has said the club would be willing to join forces with Bayern Munich to overturn bans on their players for the Champions League final.

Both sides have three key players banned for next month's final after a number of bookings in the semi-final stage.

Asked if Chelsea would consider a joint bid with Bayern to get European football's governing body to change their minds, Di Matteo said: "If there's any possibility, we would consider it, of course.

"But I think it would prove very difficult."

Chelsea will be without Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles while Bayern won't be able to select defensive trio Holger Badstuber, David Alaba and Luiz Gustavo.

Di Matteo also called on UEFA to review the current bookings system in Europe's elite competition, suggesting amnesty for players introduced at the quarter-final stage.

"Right now, it would be difficult. It'll be nice if they did that," added the 41-year-old.

The final takes place at Munich's home ground the Allianz Arena on May 19.