Chapter 357: Chapter 356: The UEFA Verdict
Zidane: "He shouldn’t have received the second yellow card, let alone the additional suspension imposed by UEFA. Regarding his tactical studies, I hope to exchange and discuss with him when I have time."
Portuguese star Figo: "I bear a great deal of responsibility for the inhuman and unfair treatment Lisbon Athletic received at Nou Camp. I hope the Barça fans take out their grievances on me instead of the young people of Portugal."
"It was supposed to be a historic match of immense quality, and the performances of young talents like Deng Kai and Quaresma gave me a glimpse into Portugal’s future. I am eager for them to continue growing, and I’m waiting for them in the national team!"
Mr. Moratti, President of Inter Milan Football Club: "We were eliminated by Lisbon Athletic, and I detested this team. But in their match against Barcelona, I saw our own reflection."
"Lisbon Athletic, like Inter Milan, faced obvious unfair refereeing. I support Lisbon Athletic’s legal appeal, and I support Deng Kai’s actions; at Meazza Stadium, he would have been hailed as a hero by the fans!"
German Golden Ball winner Matthaus: "I fucking ****... Barça is just a bunch of dogs *****... Gandour is just a ****ing *****... If UEFA doesn’t act, may those damned politicians all give birth to sons without ******..."
Clearly, as a participant in the match, Matthaus was more emotionally charged.
Not only that, a recording of Barcelona player Simon’s "confession" to a friend was leaked:
"The penalty I caused? No, no, no, that wasn’t a penalty. As a player, my professional ethics won’t allow me to admit it was a penalty..."
"Pepe made a perfect tackle, poking away the ball before I fell. My fall had nothing to do with him... But I couldn’t say that, as a Barça player, I shouldn’t have said those things at the time."
"I tried to explain to the main referee, but Guardiola reminded me that the penalty was for the whole team, not just me, and I couldn’t destroy a match that belonged to Barça because of my sense of ethics."
"You know how important that penalty was for us at the time. Without it, the match might have been over by the first half. Lisbon Athletic were playing too well that day, we couldn’t stop them."
"In fact, it wasn’t just my penalty. There was also a big problem with Overmars’s penalty; everyone saw it, he was at least half a meter outside the box, and Barzagli hadn’t fouled."
"Including Gerard’s handball... This is why as Barça players, we were collectively silent after the game, even if the fans won’t admit it, but there are some truths we have to accept."
There is no doubt that Simon’s recording caused a huge stir.
Although it couldn’t be used as evidence, this heartfelt private conversation was more authentic.
The situation gradually escalated.
In recent years, UEFA’s "management" of matches has caused dissatisfaction among many.
Furthermore, they are in the process of reforming several competitions, and most people instinctively resist change.
Therefore, Lisbon Athletic’s appeal almost amounted to a rebellion.
European football experienced its biggest upheaval in a decade.
UEFA faced its biggest crisis since its inception.
They held five meetings in a row, lasting for three days and nights, and ultimately made a judgment on the UEFA Cup second-leg match between Lisbon Athletic vs Barcelona and other related issues.
UEFA President Renat Johansson personally read the verdict in front of hundreds of media outlets.
The verdict was so detailed that it took half an hour to read.
Almost everyone, except for Barcelona’s fans, applauded the decision.
One part of the verdict: Maxa received a five-match suspension from UEFA-sanctioned events and a fine of three thousand euros for his criticism of UEFA and the fairness of the match.
The second part of the verdict relates to Maxa, Trigella, Pepe, and other Lisbon Athletic personnel’s yellow and red cards. There were no issues with the penalties given, and the original decision is upheld. Pepe, due to his malicious actions on the field, on top of the suspension coming from his red card, will have an additional two-game suspension.
These two decisions nearly caused the Lisbon Athletic fans to explode.
But many in front of the television knew that Lisbon Athletic had likely won the appeal this time.
Or rather, for the first time in history, a team had successfully appealed against UEFA.
Pepe’s red card and the other yellow cards were either ironclad or insignificant.
The sole purpose of Lisbon Athletic’s appeal in this regard was to leave a sliver of dignity for UEFA.
And UEFA smartly took the hint and backed down graciously.
Because the third part of the verdict was... upon review, Deng Kai’s second yellow card was judged to be a misdecision, as the player’s celebration did not involve any form of provocation towards the fans, and hence it is annulled.
However, Deng Kai deserves punishment for his post-match comments about UEFA and the match.
Thus, next season, Deng Kai will face a three-match suspension.
This part of the verdict made everyone in Lisbon Athletic ecstatic, wiping away any resentment brought about by the previous two parts.
Never mind suspending Maxa for five matches—fifty would have been fine.
Maxa: ???
Pepe is an essential rotation player for the team. Even if he is suspended, or even if it was a starting player suspended, Lisbon Athletic could withstand it.
But not Deng Kai’s suspension.
After multiple tests this season, everyone has realized that Deng Kai is this team’s sole true core; without him, they just don’t function.
Now, Deng Kai being allowed to appear in the UEFA Cup Final is the biggest concession UEFA has ever made.
The cries of Lisbon Athletic have finally overcome the darkness of UEFA.
Regarding this, Barcelona fans madly complained across major social media platforms.
"This is the darkest day in the history of European football! UEFA has made a wrong decision!"
"UEFA must be under pressure from China; otherwise, there wouldn’t be such an outrageous verdict!"
"I have no objections to the cancellation of Deng Kai’s second yellow card, but why should the additional three-match suspension come into effect next season?"
"Darkness! Such darkness! Our pure and innocent Barcelona has suffered the greatest injustice in the history of the UEFA Cup!"
"UEFA must give us an explanation! Why are Pepe and Maxa’s suspensions immediate, but Deng Kai can still play in the UEFA Cup Final?"
"Even if superstars like Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Rivaldo, Beckham, and Bogkamp were suspended in the semifinals, they couldn’t participate in the final. This is a rule that everyone knows; no one can defy it."
"Many great players have missed the most important matches of their lives for this reason, but now, this rule has been broken for Deng Kai."
"This action by UEFA will bring shame to the whole of European football."
