European football governing body UEFA have rejected complaints lodged by Real Madrid and Barcelona following their bad-tempered Champions League semifinal first leg clash.
Real Madrid had complained about the controversial dismissal of defender Pepe and the persistent unsporting behavior of Barcelona, who won 2-0 in the Bernabeu last Wednesday to take a firm grip on the tie.
Barcelona's protest over post-match comments by Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was also rejected by UEFA.
Mourinho was sent to the stands for his reaction to Pepe's dismissal and vented his frustration after the game by claiming the officials were biased in favor of their arch-rivals.
UEFA ruled Monday against Real's complaint saying that "there was no common strategy" by Barcelona to provoke their players.
"In the case of Pepe, the referee's factual decision is upheld," read a statement on UEFA's official website.
Pepe will be banned for the return leg Tuesday in the Nou Camp, as will teammate Sergio Ramos, who was yellow-carded.
In rejecting Barcelona's complaint, UEFA referred the Catalan giants to their decision to charge Mourinho for his "inappropriate comments" after the game.
Mourinho's case will now be heard UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body on Friday.
On the same day, UEFA will also rule on disciplinary proceedings brought against both the Spanish giants over incidents in the match, including a pitch invasion, missiles being thrown and the red card for Barcelona's reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto after a fracas as the teams headed off for halftime.
Barcelona midfielder Xavi gave his reaction in a pre-match press conference Monday.
"It's not for me to judge the behavior of Madrid's manager, but in the end, you win because you deserve it, because you have done more good things," he told the official Barcelona website.
"All these official complaints just get nowhere. We try and just talk about football and not those lamentable incidents."
But Real Madrid's assistant coach Aitor Karanka took a different view as he replaced Mourinho at their pre-game media conference.
"UEFA's decision means that the game now comes second," he told gathered reporters.
"UEFA talks about fair play and tomorrow (Tuesday) there will players on the pitch that lack this and have made racist comments.
"Meanwhile we will be without Pepe and (Sergio) Ramos.
"Everyone saw what happened at the Bernabeu and yet no decision has been taken, so this means that the game now comes second."
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