UEFA to consider Parma protest

UEFA is to investigate a protest by Parma after their goalkeeper Luca Bucci was hospitalised following the explosion of a firework near him during their 3-0 UEFA Cup semi-final defeat at CSKA Moscow on Thursday.

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body will examine the Italian club's protest tomorrow in Geneva, Euro soccer's ruling body said.

Firecrackers were thrown shortly after CSKA's opening goal in the 10th minute of the match, which sent the Russian side into the final against Sporting Lisbon on May 18.

Bucci played on for a few minutes before being replaced by Sebastien Frey.

Vladimir Radionov, general secretary of the Russian Football Union (RFU), said CSKA would face no more than a fine.

"That CSKA is facing a fine is absolutely clear," Radionov was quoted as saying by Russian media yesterday.

"This would have happened anyway even without Parma's protest.

"But I don't believe it will be more than that," he added.

"Everything will depend on the report from UEFA match delegate, Mihal Listkowicz of Poland. But we don't know what he has actually written and how he took the incident." CSKA declined to comment.