Bayern Munich accept defeat in their bid for Franck Ribery to play in the Champions League final.
CAS turn down appeal so French star still banned for final
Bayern Munich have accepted defeat in their bid to have Franck Ribery available for Saturday's UEFA Champions League final.
The Bundesliga champions appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to get Ribery's three-match suspension by Uefa reduced.
But the CAS upheld the ban, which came as a result of Ribery's red card in the first leg of Bayern's semi-final tie against Lyon.
The German giants felt that the decision to rate the red card as violent conduct was incorrect and that Ribery should instead be punished for dangerous foul play.
That could have warranted just a one-match ban and the French winger had already sat out the second leg against Lyon, but the CAS have dismissed the appeal.
Respect
"FC Bayern Munich must and will accept and respect the judgement of the CAS," read a press release by the club.
"FC Bayern Munich took every legal route possible in the interest of the club, their supporters and, of course, Franck Ribery."
Bayern's president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted they could suffer being without a "player of quality" for the final, the club's first since beating Valencia on penalties in 2001.
Ribery may therefore have played his last game for the club but Rummenigge is hoping to convince the 27-year-old star to extend his contract by saying he can help Bayern get back to European club football's biggest showpiece.
"Franck was very disappointed with the ruling and also sad that he's not going to be playing the final," said Rummenigge.
"I understand his disappointment and his distress but I'm sure it won't be the last time we contend the Champions League final.
"Next time he'll be there and on the pitch to help us win it."
