Real Madrid to protest to UEFA over van Bommel protest

AFP
February 21, 2007
MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid will protest to European football's governing body UEFA about Bayern Munich's Mark van Bommel's obscene gesture, according to Spanish media reports on Wednesday.

Real beat Bayern 3-2 in their Champions League last 16, first leg match on Tueday and van Bommel's late goal could have a crucial bearing on which of the former European champions qualifies for the quarter-finals.

The Dutch midfielder repeatedly made the gesture after scoring Bayern's second goal two minutes from time.

Real officials told the Spanish sports daily Marca that they considered van Bommel's gesture, "an intolerable provocation."

There is the distinct possibility that van Bommel may be banned for the second leg in Munich on March 7 despite his apology after the match.

"I must apologise to the supporters. I have nothing against them but against some of the Real players, yes," said the Dutchman, without elaborating further apart from commenting that his emotions had got the better of him.

He contented himself with adding: "I shouldn't have done it, but it was an important goal."

Van Bommel had an injury-marred year with Real's bitter rivals Barcelona before joining Bayern last summer.

Marca sports daily said that Van Bommel's indiscretion after a goal which leaves the round of 16 tie wide open ahead of the March 7 return was only the latest in a chapter of incidents between the sides, who have regularly jousted with each other over the past three decades.

"Van Bommel joins the black list," said Marca, pointing out that several other Bayern players have in the past provoked a rumpus with the Spaniards.

Marca recalled how former Bayern defender Klaus Augenthaler had "made the ugliest gesture seen at the Bernabeu. He simulated (bull's) horns with a view to offending the players and the fans."

Of former midfield dynamo Steffan Effenberg, Marca wrote: "He was another of those players who, every time he played against Madrid stirred things up and created difficult situations for the madridistas in Munich."

Marca also opined that Bayern keeper Oliver Kahn "has been public enemy number one at the Bernabeu for the past seven years" since a turbulent meeting between the clubs in 1999.

And the paper also added that former midfield talisman Lothar Matthaus had on one occasion made a "brutal" challenge on a Madrid rival while relating that Bayern's Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro had said in 2002: "We'll stick five goals past these clowns," referring to a Madrid side which beat them and ultimately won the title.

Veteran Kahn was in no mood to take the spice out of the looming return after telling reporters Tuesday night: "Our stadium will be red-hot for the return."

Real have never played at the new Allianz Arena but their record at the old Olympic Stadium in Munich is not good, comprising seven losses and a draw.

UEFA investigate Van Bommel action
SYON, Switzerland -- UEFA will investigate Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel over allegations of unsporting conduct.

Van Bommel appeared to make two insulting gestures after he scored a late goal in Tuesday's 3-2 defeat at Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The 29-year-old Dutchman said he had been insulted by a Madrid player about his FC Barcelona connections.
Van Bommel joined Bayern last August after a year with Barcelona, Madrid's archrival.

"It's the first time I've played at the Santiago Bernabeu and I have nothing against the crowd although I do have something against a player," he told Catalunya Radio.

Sports daily Marca reacted with indignation to the incident, with its front page accompanying a photo of Van Bommel gesturing with the headline: "They're going to have to swallow this."

The paper advised Madrid players to "cut the photo out, stick it in the dressing room and don't stop looking at it until the return leg."

Sports daily As added that Madrid will also protest that Bayern substitute Hasan Salihamidzic spat at supporters behind the goal straight after Van Bommel's goal.

Madrid left-back Roberto Carlos said Van Bommel and Salihamidzic's actions were "disgraceful" and "do soccer no good."

"The best moment of the game is when you score. If you gesticulate or insult people it shows a disgraceful lack of respect," the Brazilian was quoted as saying by Marca's Web site.

Bayern and Madrid meet in the second leg of the tie in Munich on March 7.

Van Bommel Slapped With Fine, Suspended Ban For Madrid Gesture

Bayern Munich midfielder Mark Van Bommel has escaped direct suspension for his ugly gesture towards the Bernabeu crowd during last week's Champions League clash, instead having to make amends in a number of other ways.

The Dutch midfielder scored what could be a crucial 88th minute goal at the Bernabeu last week, to make it a 3-2 defeat for Bayern Munich going into the second leg.

However, it was his celebration of the goal that grabbed headlines, with the former Barcelona man making some ugly gestures towards the crowd.

He apologized immediately after the game, and UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body seem to have taken that into account, and handed him a suspended one-game ban.

He will be under probation over the next twelve months, and the ban will come into effect should he be found guilty of similar indiscipline during that period.

Van Bommel has also been fined €6,200, and in a rather innovative move, been ordered by the Body "to be at the disposal of UEFA to promote fair play to youth players during a youth competition to be determined in the course of this year."

The ruling leaves him eligible to play in the crucial second leg clash against Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday.

Anti-Madrid Gesture Costs Van Bommel Both Milan Games

Huge blow for Bayern Munich as they won’t be able to count on one of their key players for the upcoming Champions League quarterfinal against AC Milan.

The decision by UEFA to ban Van Bommel for two games will surely be met by the German outfit's criticism.

This is because in theory Van Bommel should have just received a one match ban for the red card he was shown during Bayern’s second leg clash against Real Madrid.

However, UEFA decided to suspend the Dutchman for two games in light of the gesture Van Bommel made to the Bernabeu faithful after scoring Bayern’s second goal in the dying mintues of the first leg match.

The Germans will contest that UEFA had already deliberated on Van Bommel’s ugly and provocative act, deciding to hand him a hefty fine.

Bayern are expected to appeal the two match ban with the hope that UEFA will back-track on today's decision in order for Van Bommel to at least play in the return match against the Italian giants.