TW
0

Hajduk Split defender Igor Stimac yesterday said it was “unjust” that he had received a UEFA sanctioned six game ban for assaulting Real Mallorca assistant coach Damian Amer and that he would still fly to Palma with his team on Sunday. The assault took place after last week's Champions League third qualifying round, first-leg match in Split which the Croatians won 1-0. In a statement UEFA said: “During the scuffle, Igor Stimac hit the Mallorca official deliberately and violently in the head with his arm.” Hajduk club president Branko Grgic, who said the team would appeal against the ban, said yesterday: “We have to respect the UEFA decision but we shall appeal and see what happens in the end. “We never thought the sanction against Stimac would be so drastic. We think it is too harsh.” Stimac went further and suggested a UEFA conspiracy. “Everyone knows I didn't hit anyone and the only sanction has been to me. “There is no justice, but I will still fly to Mallorca with my team mates and no one can stop me,” said the former Derby and West Ham player who added that the squad needed him because he was the oldest and most experienced player. Stimac then tempted UEFA's patience by claiming his ban could be a part of a plan by Europe's governing body to have the more lucrative teams in their prized competition. “All of the claims are lies and the one thing that's clear is that UEFA don't want Croatian teams playing in the Champions League,” he said. Mallorca president Mateu Alemany, on the other hand, said in a press conference yesterday that Stimac's ban was “justified”, while defender Javier Olaizola added: “The team and I feel warranted by the stance adopted by UEFA considering what happened after the match. “But now that the off-pitch matters are finalised we must concentrate on Tuesday's match.” The second-leg takes place on Tuesday at Son Moix at 21.30.