Di Matteo would consider joint bid to overturn bans

Chelsea could join forces with Bayern Munich to try to overturn the bans that will see six players miss the Champions League final.

But caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo admits it would be "very difficult" to convince UEFA to change their rules ahead of next month's Allianz Arena showdown. Pleas for clemency from the international players' union, FIFPro, fell on deaf ears on Thursday when UEFA insisted they would not consider an amnesty for those who picked up yellow-card bans in this week's semi-final second legs. Asked if Chelsea would consider a joint bid with Bayern to get European football's governing body to change their minds, Di Matteo said: "If there's any possibility, we would consider it, of course. But I think it would prove very difficult." Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles will all miss the final after being cautioned in the Blues' extraordinary semi-final second leg at Barcelona. Bayern, meanwhile, lost Holger Badstuber, David Alaba and Luiz Gustavo after their own semi triumph over Real Madrid.