Xabi Alonso will miss Real Madrid’s Champions League Final clash against rivals Atletico Madrid after an appeal against his semi-final booking was rejected by UEFA.
The 32-year-old picked up his third yellow card of the competition in the second leg tie against Bayern Munich, and despite Real’s appeal on Wednesday it was announced that the ban has been upheld.
“Following the protest lodged by Real Madrid CF against the caution of their player Xabi Alonso at the return-leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against FC Bayern Munchen played on 29 April in Germany, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has declared the protest inadmissible,” stated the governing body.
“As a result of his third yellow card, the Spanish player is suspended and will therefore not be eligible for the UEFA Champions League final against Club Atletico de Madrid played on 24 May in Lisbon.”
Alonso has been a key member of Real Madrid’s starting eleven this season, with Carlo Ancelotti seeing the Spanish international as the defensive anchor that allows the likes of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo to get forward.
The Italian coach now faces a selection dilemma, having to choose between central midfielders Sami Khedira, who hasn’t played for club nor country since November following a serious knee injury, or the more inexperienced Asier Illarramendi.
