Darren Fletcher’s final heartache as ban stays

Darren Fletcher will miss the Champions League Final after UEFA insisted today they would not overturn his red card.

The governing body confirmed that a protest against a sending-off is only allowed on the basis of mistaken identity — and not on whether the referee had been too harsh.

UEFA head of communications Rob Faulkner said: "Manchester United have the right to file a protest within 24 hours of the match. However, a protest against a caution or sending-off is only admissible if the referee's error was to mistake the identity of the player."

The decision means Fletcher will be suspended for the final in Rome on 27 May.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped referee Roberto Rosetti would have admitted it was a mistake to give Fletcher a straight red card for a foul on Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas in the box. Rosetti, however, judged Fletcher had denied Fabregas a goal-scoring chance and that he had no alternative but to award Arsenal a penalty and send off the Scot.

Ferguson said: "He's one of the most honest players and to miss the final, it's a tragedy. In respect to the referee, in this situation he might look at it himself without anyone asking him."