Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

Sporting Lisbon launch UEFA appeal over Schalke defeat, demand replay

Sporting Lisbon have lodged a protest with UEFA against their 4-3 Champions League defeat to Schalke, and have demanded a replay of Tuesday's Group G game at the Veltins Arena.

Despite being reduced to 10 men early on in the match, Sporting recovered from being 3-1 down at Schalke through an Adrien Silva brace.

But as the match entered injury time Russian referee Sergei Karasev awarded a controversial penalty to the hosts for a handball by Jonathan Silva, despite Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's late goal-bound header striking the Sporting players' face.

Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting stepped up and converted from the spot to secure Schalke's victory, but the Bundesliga club announced on Thursday that Sporting have filed a protest to UEFA against the result.

"The green and whites [Sporting] have demanded of the European association a replay of the match or as an alternative, the payment of the bonus awarded for a draw," the club said on their official website. "Schalke have been asked for a timely statement, and will do so taking account the protection of [the club's] interests."

On Tuesday, Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt voiced his sympathy for Sporting's anger.

"In the past, I have sometimes been highly critical of that guy on the goal line, but this time I can only say: 'Super idea, [Michel] Platini! The system works,'" Heldt joked, adding: "I can understand their anger. I'd be out of my head if I were on the receiving end."

Schalke striker Huntelaar added: "I'd be very annoyed to lose like that. It also happens to us during a season that we lose because of a mistake by whoever. Video evidence could help the referee."

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