Except for one man – Diego. An island of frustration amidst an ocean of happiness, Bremen’s star player looked crestfallen. Booked during the first half, Diego knew he would be missing the final in Istanbul against Shakhtar Donetsk on May 20th, and like a man promised a birthday treat by his wife, dreaming of steamy threeways with her nubile best friend, only to end up being taken to a garden centre, he looked gutted. The brave face barely masked the Brazilian’s grave disappointment.

If there has been one running theme to the 2009 European semi-finals, both Champions League and UEFA Cup, it is that of referees and the player sanctions that have cost – or robbed, depending on your strength of feeling, certain footballers of their dreams.

Diego’s yellow card in the Hamburg-Bremen game was the latest in a line of harsh judgements dished out by referees over the week. Consequently the Brazilian playmaker became yet another player unjustly denied the opportunity to participate in one of the biggest games of his professional life.

UEFA rules on discipline currently state the following:

Article 21.01 As a rule, a player who is sent off the field of play is suspended for the next match in a UEFA club competition.

Article 21.02 b) In case of repeated cautions, a player is suspended for the next competition match from the first match in the group stage (or first round for UEFA Cup) after three cautions in three different matches as well as following any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth etc).

Article 23.03 Protests cannot be lodged against factual decisions taken by the referee.

Now, I have always thought it a shame that a player can miss a European final, such a major landmark in one’s career, for simply accumulating three yellow cards over the course of an entire tournament. But after the highly debatable refereeing decisions that occurred this week in Europe it seems more appropriate than ever before to ask more widely the question: Is it time for UEFA to reassess and revamp it’s disciplinary procedures?

A look at recent evidence leads me to the firm conclusion that yes – UEFA need to seriously re-think their disciplinary regulations, and here are some reasons why.

From the four sides that made it to European cup finals this week, six players are banned from participating (Darren Fletcher, Dani Alves, Eric Abidal, Diego, Hugo Almeida and Thomas Hubschman). For me, all but Dani Alves and Hubschman can feel rightly aggrieved.

Take the example of Darren Fletcher. Video replays showed that Fletcher’s tackle on Cesc Fabregas in Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Arsenal was perfectly legal. He won the ball. Even Arsene Wenger – king of seeing nothing, saw it was not a foul. (That Wenger, he would make the perfect mob figure. DEA: ‘Come on Arsene, we’ve got wire taps placing you in the room where the money and coke changed hands. We’ll offer full immunity if you name names.’ Wenger: ‘Hey, I didn’t see nothing’). Yet Fletcher was unfairly sent off by referee Roberto Rossetti and because of Article 23.03, United cannot even appeal. Given what is at stake for the player that is a ridiculous statute and must surely be amended.

Fletcher would almost certainly have played in the Champions League final this year. His performances have been largely exceptional, particularly in United’s big games, and given Barcelona are the opponents Sir Alex Ferguson would likely have employed the Scot in a three man midfield to deny Barca’s flair players space. Champions League finals are precious occasions in the life of a footballer, and rare too. You never know when the ship might sail for good. Denying players opportunities they have fought so hard to earn, for reasons so soft, seems unmerited and cruel.

Diego is another example. One of the UEFA Cup’s shining lights, boasting a string of highly impressive performances to his name, the crafty Brazilian has scored 7 goals in European competition this season. But in 13 games he has also picked up 5 yellow cards. So he misses the final. The Istanbul showpiece will be much worse off without him. Diego’s 5th yellow was for a harmless scuffle with Hamburg’s Alex Silva in which he really did very little wrong. Such serious consequences should not emerge from such trivialities. Hugo Almeida probably feels even worse. 3 bookings in 11 games and he has to forego the final? Madness.

Eric Abidal cried his eyes out in the technical area at Stamford Bridge after yet another dubious refereeing decision saw him sent off and banned from the final. When you look at what these players are missing out on and assess the reasons why it would take a heart of stone not to feel a degree of sympathy. The punishments simply do not fit the crimes.

Now, obviously UEFA need deterrents in place to prevent players abusing their positions in crucial games. That is understandable. But as a suggestion, how about wiping the yellow card slate clean post-quarter finals and abolishing the archaic ‘no appeals’ law? Two straightforward changes granted, but they would improve UEFA’s outdated disciplinary laws no end.

Speaking on this subject, former Arsenal and Manchester United player Frank Stapleton hailed the United States as a shining example to European football: ‘In America the Superbowl is the showpiece event. It is a magnificent spectacle for everybody and they want all the best players to be there. Never in a million years would they allow the star attractions to miss out for such weak reasons.’ And I agree. Barring serious misconduct, in modern football efforts should be made to keep the best players available for the biggest stages.

Laurent Blanc, former France captain and model professional, missed out on the 1998 World Cup final, the pinnacle of sporting achievement, because of a scandalous injustice. Eleven years later the unfairness continues. It is time for UEFA’s draconian laws to be addressed.

Do you agree? Should UEFA revamp it’s disciplinary process? If so, how? And if not, why not? Let us know by posting your thoughts in the comments field.