UEFA supports referee Cakir over Nani red card

The European football governing body has confirmed that Cuneyt Cakir will remain on their list of officials for the upcoming Champions League matches this season. UEFA has backed referee Cuneyt Cakir following his decision to show Nani a straight red card for a waist-high challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa in the 57th minute. United were leading 1-0 at the time but, reduced to 10 players, eventually lost 2-1 to Real and exited the Champions League on a 3-2 aggregate score.
Referee Cakir will not face any immediate action from UEFA, with the governing body unconcerned by the storm surrounding him and happy to wait for reports into his display from the referee's observer Pierluigi Collina and match delegate Rudolf Zavrl, both of whom were in attendance at Old Trafford. “We have no problem with him. There are no issues for us regarding the sending off. We will wait for the official reports of the match delegate and the referee's observer, as is the procedure. If they raise concerns, then we will act”, a UEFA spokesman said. Asked if Cakir was in any danger of not refereeing again during this season's Champions League, the spokesman added: "He remains on our list of officials".
UEFA confirmed that Nani will receive an automatic one-match European suspension following his red card and that United can appeal against the sanction only after the governing body's disciplinary panel has meet to discuss the issue when, it is possible, the suspension could be raised. “From the report we have received we will not take any action apart from the disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United for the red card of Nani and for post-match media obligations not being fulfilled”. Rio Ferdinand will not be punished by UEFA for sarcastically applauding referee Cuneyt Cakir at Old Trafford, it was announced today. The Manchester United centre-half confronted the Turkish official after his decision to send off Nani. However, having read the referee’s report, the governing body will take no action against Ferdinand. A UEFA spokesman said: “From the report we have received we will not take any action apart from the disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United for the red card of Nani and for post-match media obligations not being fulfilled”.
Cakir, meanwhile, flew back to Istanbul from Manchester on Wednesday morning and is scheduled to recommence refereeing duties in Turkey's Super Lig this weekend.

Source: The Guardian