Uefa has warned Real Madrid that they will not be
allowed to register both Lassana Diarra and Klaas Jan Huntelaar for
the Champions League.
It was revealed this week that, under Uefa rules, the club will
be able to register only one of the duo for the knockout stages of
the competition as they have already appeared in the Uefa Cup this
season for Portsmouth and Ajax.
However, Madrid president Ramon Calderon had hoped to convince
Uefa president Michel Platini to make an exception.
A statement on the official Real Madrid website on Boxing Day
read: “The club's legal services were aware of the fact that one of
the two aforementioned players could not be registered to play in
the Champions League due to an interpretation of a Uefa rule, but
they nevertheless think there can be another interpretation of
articles 17.17 and 17.18.
“The club will therefore make its argument known to Uefa.”
However, the club has now been warned that any appeal will be
doomed to failure.
William Gaillard, Uefa’s director of communications and public
affairs, said: “We can make no exception.
“If we did, Uefa would have to make exceptions for all.
“This can affect the competition. It is a written rule and rules
are not meant to be changed in the middle of the season."
Huntelaar, meanwhile, says he has not discussed the issue with
the club, but will do all he can to ensure he is selected.
''They can only register one player and I have to do everything
possible so that player is me,” he told Marca.
“I hope to be chosen. It depends on me.''