Uefa has rejected Lille's protest
against Ryan Giggs' goal from a quickly-taken free-kick in the UEFA
Champions League on Tuesday.
The French club argued that referee Eric Braamhaar had made a
'technical error' in allowing Giggs to take the free-kick without
blowing his whistle.
Lille had hoped to get the original result annulled and have the
game replayed.
Uefa's Control and Disciplinary Body met to discuss Lille's
complaint on Friday, but found no proof of an error by the
official.
Lille have until midnight on Monday to appeal the decision.
"Having examined the official referee's report, the television
evidence at hand as well as the Laws of the Game, the Uefa Control
and Disciplinary Body decided to reject the protest, as there was
no proof of a technical error," a statement on Uefa's website
read.
"As a result, the body declared that the goal was perfectly
valid."
Giggs' goal turned out to be the winner in the first-leg of the
first knockout round match in France and led to fury among Lille's
players and officials.
Uefa has decided to open proceedings against Lille to investigate
the actions of their players following the goal.
The statement continued: "Furthermore, the Control and Disciplinary
Body decided to instigate proceedings against Lille for the
improper behaviour of their players immediately after the
goal."
The Control and Disciplinary Body will meet on March 22 to discuss
the incident as well as possible safety and security violations by
Lille and alleged improper conduct by both sets of fans.
