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Lille unhappy with UEFA's decision

Ryan Giggs, right, of Manchester United scores from a quickly taken free kick against Lille during their Champions League knockout round first leg match at the Bollaert Stadium, Lens, France, on Feb. 20. PHOTO: AP

Lille, whose protest against Manchester United's controversial Champions League winning goal was thrown out by UEFA last week, announced on Monday that they intend to appeal the decision.

The French club are protesting Ryan Giggs' quickly taken 83rd-minute free kick goal while their players were still lining up their defensive wall.

Lille want European soccer's governing body to examine what they claim is at the heart of the problem -- the neutrality of Dutch referee Eric Braamhaar -- during the 1-0 win by the English side.

The French club claimed the referee made a technical mistake in allowing the free-kick to be taken without having blown his whistle beforehand and asked for the game to be replayed.

"The president [Michel] Seydoux and management have decided to appeal the decision announced on Friday by the European authority," Lille said in a statement.

"The real question is to establish how the Manchester players came to take the free kick quickly which lead to a goal while they signaled their intention of doing the opposite. Following these principles, Lille have therefore taken the decision to go through with a fight that seems correct to them," it added.

UEFA said they will consider the appeal on Friday.

Giggs's strike was the only goal of the first leg of the last 16 tie, with the second leg taking place in Manchester on March 7.

UEFA announced last week that it was investigating possible violations during the incident-filled tie at the Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens where United fans were involved in a crush.

Lille fans responded to the goal by hurling missiles onto the pitch, one of which struck United captain Gary Neville on the head as he was waiting to take a throw in.

UEFA's control and disciplinary body will discuss the safety and security issues on March 22.
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