Barcelona appeal UEFA's proposed Iniesta ban
(CNN) -- Barcelona have launched an appeal against a UEFA proposal to ban Spanish international Andres Iniesta for the first leg of their Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid on April 27.
In a statement released on their web site, Barcelona described the proposed sanction to ban Iniesta for an additional game for allegedly picking up a yellow card on purpose in the quarterfinal against Shakhtar Donetsk as "disproportionate."
The sanction comes as a result of a report from UEFA match officials who were at the game in Barcelona.
Barca are confident that the arguments they outlined in their appeal, in addition to the good faith of the player, will be sufficient for a ban to be avoided.
Iniesta was cautioned during the first leg of Barcelona's aggregate 6-1 quarterfinal win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Nou Camp on April 6 for not retreating the required distance after a free kick was awarded to the Ukrainian side.
The caution meant that the 26-year-old was suspended for the return clash in Ukraine.
Barcelona said on its official web site that UEFA's disciplinary committee is due to reach a decision about the ban on Wednesday.
Earlier this season, Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, defender Sergio Ramos and coach Jose Mourinho were all penalized by UEFA for similar offences.
Alonso and Ramos were sent off during their Champions League 4-0 win against Ajax in November 2010 and each fined £16,700 ($27,200), while Mourinho was banned for two games -- a sanction that was later reduced to one game on appeal.
