Real Madrid, Barca protests dismissed by UEFA

European football governing body UEFA has rejected the complaints lodged by Real Madrid and Barcelona following their ill-tempered Champions League semi-final first leg clash last week.

Real lodged a complaint against the sending off of Pepe and the persistent unsporting behaviour of Barcelona in the 2-0 victory by the Catalan side last Wednesday.

But UEFA found that there was no deliberate strategy employed by the Barcelona players to provoke their rivals. Pepe's ban was upheld and he remains suspended from Tuesday's semi-final at the Nou Camp.

Barcalona's complaint against post match comments by Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho were also rejected by UEFA.

Mourinho had prompted a storm of protest from Barcelona over his post match comments alleging bias towards his side's bitter rivals.