Bayern Munich have confirmed the club will be without Thomas Muller for both legs of their Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool.
The German was shown a straight red card in Bayern’s final group stage match against Ajax for a high tackle which saw him kick the head of Nicolas Tagliafico.
Why has Muller been banned? Four key things to know…
Thomas Muller received a straight red card during Bayern’s 3-3 group stage draw with Ajax for a high challenge on Nicolas Tagliafico.
The German was banned for two matches, but Bayern appealed to Uefa hoping to see the suspension drop to one.
However, the club have now confirmed the decision has been upheld, meaning Muller will miss both legs against Liverpool.re
Thomas Muller doing his best Bruce Lee impression against #Ajax 🚨https://t.co/oT7S8WaDOC
— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) December 12, 2018
Liverpool will also be without Virgil van Dijk in the first leg due to a suspension, with the centre-back having received three yellow cards in the group stage.
The mandatory ban for a red card stands at one match but Uefa deemed the incident to be a serious offence, extending the suspension to two matches at a hearing on January 10.
Bayern then appealed the decision, hoping to see it reduced back to one, though not many harboured hope of winning the appeal.
And the club have now confirmed Muller’s suspension remains at two, ruling him out of both games against Liverpool.
“Now it’s official: FC Bayern will be without Thomas Müller in both legs of the Champions League round of 16 against Liverpool FC,” a statement on the club’s official website read.
“The German record champions’ appeal against the 29-year-old attacking midfielder’s two-match suspension was rejected by the European Football Union’s (UEFA) Appeals Senate on Monday.
“Following a foul on Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico, Müller had been sent off by French referee Clément Turpin in the 75th minute in the final game of the group stage, a 3-3 draw at Ajax.”
The first leg between the pair takes place at Anfield on February 19, with the return fixture on March 13.