The governing body of European soccer dismissed claims by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson that the Champions League quarterfinal draw was rigged.
Ferguson was widely quoted in Sunday's English newspapers suggesting UEFA had conspired to force Manchester United to meet defending champion and favorite Real Madrid in the quarterfinal round, which opens this week with first-leg matches.
``It was a nice draw, wasn't it,'' Ferguson was quoted saying in the News of the World newspaper. ``I think they picked it themselves.''
``The Spanish sides didn't get drawn against each other, neither did the Italians. How do you think that worked out? That don't want us in the final, that's for sure.''
UEFA spokesman Mike Lee called Ferguson's statements ``silly.''
``It's a bit unfortunate, it's a bit silly and it's not true,'' he said.
``It sounds a bit like some of those Fergie's mind games that he sometimes plays ahead of major matches.''
``If you're a player and you think the world's against you perhaps it helps to motivate you.''
``The fact is that in Italy, UEFA are accused of being favored and biased towards Germany.
"And in Spain we are accused of being biased towards Italy.''
``I'm afraid that his [Ferguson's] comments don't fit with reality. It is a shame when we have so much to look forward to that we have these sorts of accusations.''
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