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Real slams UEFA

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-04 08:00

BARCELONA, Spain - Real Madrid's assistant coach Aitor Karanka said on Monday UEFA's decision to not take action against Barcelona over its behavior in the Champions League semifinal first-leg clash will overshadow the decider at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

Barcelona came away from the Bernabeu with a 2-0 advantage from a bad tempered game which will be remembered for fouls and play acting.

There was a war of words before the match between Real coach Jose Mourinho and his opposite number Pep Guardiola, and in the game the situation only deteriorated.

Barca's substitute keeper Jose Pinto was red carded in a clash at halftime and in the second half Pepe was dismissed for a kick at Dani Alves who made the most of the challenge by writhing on the ground.

Mourinho was sent to the stands for criticising the decision and will not be allowed on the bench at the Nou Camp, hence why Karanka fielded the press on the traditional eve of match press conference.

UEFA is considering taking action over Mourinho's post-match comments but it has thrown out a complaint from Real over the way Barca players acted.

"UEFA's decision means that the game now comes second," said Karanka. "UEFA talks about fair play and tomorrow (Tuesday) there will players on the pitch that lack this and have made racist comments.

"Meanwhile we will be without Pepe and (Sergio) Ramos.

"Everyone saw what happened at the Bernabeu and yet no decision has been taken, so this means that the game now comes second."

Real wanted up to six Barca players to be punished, including Sergio Busquets who was shown on Spanish television, making racist comments towards fullback Marcelo.

"We now have to concentrate on the game as we are Real Madrid and we will keep fighting to the end. We have 109 years of history and have won nine European Cups," said Karanka.

Agence France-Presse