Barca appeal Iniesta ban

Barcelona are appealing UEFA’s proposal to ban playmaker Andres Iniesta from the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid.

Iniesta is under investigation for picking up a yellow card in the quarter-final first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, which ruled him out for the return clash in the Ukraine and also wiped his record for the semi-finals.

UEFA have issued a report alleging the Spanish midfielder collected the booking on purpose, and should the European body suspend the 26-year-old, he will miss the first semi-final leg against Madrid at the Bernabeu.

“FC Barcelona have this evening submitted an appeal to UEFA against the proposed imposition of an additional game suspension for Andrés Iniesta following the yellow card he picked up against Shaktar at the Nou Camp on April 6th,” a statement on the club’s site read.

“FC Barcelona believe that the arguments outlined in their appeal, based on the good faith of the player and the disproportionate nature of the proposed sanction will be sufficient to rebut these allegations.”