Fletcher Out For Man U's Final Against Barcelona

May 11, 2009 7:14 p.m. EST

London, England (AHN) - Darren Fletcher's attempt to get his suspension from the Champions League final overturned has failed.

UEFA have confirmed that the red card that the Manchester United midfielder was given for a foul on Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will stand.

Fletcher had three goals in 24 games this year for Man U.

UEFA choose not to have recourse to overturn decisions, and Fletcher will miss a match he seemed certain to start.

With his contract up at the end of 2008/09 it remains to be seen if Fletcher opts to move clubs and if he will play for Man U again.

Barcelona meanwhile will have their own absentee in Eric Abidal, the French defender's attempts to get his dismissal against Chelsea also falling on the deaf ears of the governing body.

Dani Alves, to no-one's particular surprise, will also miss out after his yellow card was rubberstamped.

"All three players are therefore suspended for one UEFA club competition match and will serve their bans when Barcelona meet Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final in Rome May 27," the UEFA said in a statement.

The UEFA said the protests had not been submitted within the required 24-hour deadline that even if they had been admitted they would have been rejected as unfounded as there were no grounds for contesting the referees' original decisions.