Barcelona: Barcelona said midfielder Sergio Busquets has been cleared to play in the Champions League final after UEFA dismissed claims Monday he racially insulted Real Madrid defender Marcelo during the semifinals.
Busquets was facing a five-match ban if UEFA's disciplinary panel found the racial abuse allegation proven at a hearing held on Sunday.
"Sergio Busquets will be able to play the final of the Champions League," Barcelona said in a statement on its website. "UEFA has notified FC Barcelona that it has rejected Real Madrid's complaint."
He can now play in the May 28 final against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
Marcelo, who is black, alleged that Busquets called him a "monkey" during an ill-tempered first-leg match on April 27 in Madrid, which Barcelona won 2-0.
The Brazilian defender and Madrid submitted statements and video evidence of the incident to support their claim.
Later Monday, UEFA's appeals body was examining a separate complaint from Madrid seeking to open another case against Busquets.
Madrid has challenged a UEFA ruling which cleared the Spain midfielder and his Barcelona teammates Dani Alves and Pedro Rodriguez of feigning injuries during the first-leg match.
Madrid also wants UEFA to look again at a red card shown to Pepe for his tackle on Alves at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Barcelona drew the return home leg 1-1 to advance to the final.
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