The prominent players will miss the finals of the UEFA Champions League due to take place on May 27 at Rome after appeals by the clubs against their suspension failed

Barcelona defenders Eric Abidal and Dani Alves will both miss the Champions League final, while Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher also failed to get his dismissal for a challenge in the semi-finals, second leg overturned following a tackle on Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas inside the area in which he appeared to get a touch of the ball.

Abidal was sent off for a trip on Nicolas Anelka in the semi-final against Chelsea last week while Alves picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Ashley Cole, his second booking of the knockout stages.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola had insisted that the Catalan giants argue against the pair's suspensions "out of respect for them".

The performance of referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at Stamford Bridge has come in for huge criticism, but there is no formal procedure at Uefa for overturning refereeing decisions.