Tuesday 6 February 2018 14:39, UK
Holders Real Madrid have been dealt a blow ahead of their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie with PSG after UEFA upheld the decision to suspend Dani Carvajal for deliberately picking up a booking.
Carvajal was shown a yellow card in the 90th minute for time wasting in the La Liga club's 6-0 group stage win over APOEL Nicosia in November.
As it was the full back's third in that phase of the competition it ruled him out of their final group game, but in theory would have meant he was available for the upcoming round of 16 fixtures without the risk of further immediate suspension.
However, UEFA announced in December that their Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body felt the player breached Article 15 of its disciplinary regulations and rejected the European champions' appeal against the extended sanction.
"The appeal lodged by Real Madrid CF has been dismissed and the UEFA CEDB's decision of December 7 is confirmed," a UEFA statement said.
"Given that Carvajal did not participate in the match between Real Madrid CF and Borussia Dortmund played on December 6, 2017, the player still has to serve one UEFA competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible."
Real face PSG on February 14 at the Bernabeu, with the return leg in Paris scheduled for March 6.
