UEFA reject Madrid´s Champions League bid

AFP - 9 January 2009 00:05

European football´s governing body UEFA on Thursday night rejected a bid by Real Madrid to have both new signings Lassana Diarra, pictured in 2008, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar eligible for Champions League action.

MADRID (AFP) - European football's governing body UEFA on Thursday night rejected a bid by Real Madrid to have both new signings Lassana Diarra and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar eligible for Champions League action.

"The European body confirms that this was rejected in accordance with regulations which state that only one player who has played UEFA club competition matches for another competing club in the current season may exceptionally be registered," said a UEFA statement.

Earlier Spanish media reports suggested the defending Spanish champions would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) should they have their request turned down. Earlier this week Real's new coach Juande Ramos said he was unaware of the rule.

UEFA added they would look into any appeal lodged with them next week.

Frenchman Diarra has played for Portsmouth and Dutchman Huntelaar for Ajax in Europe this season so only one of them would be eligible to play against Liverpool in the first knockout stage of the Champions Leagaue on February 25 and March 10.