Leeds face up to UEFA ban on Bowyer

Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer will miss the first two matches of the club's UEFA Cup campaign next season after the club accepted a three match ban on the player

Leeds say they have "reluctantly" dropped their appeal which could have seen the thre game ban extended.

Leeds United rejected an offer from UEFA to hold a telephone disciplinary appeal meeting over a three game ban given to midfielder Lee Bowyer on the eve of their Champions League semi final decider in Valencia.

The combative midfielder escaped censure from Italian referee Pierluigi Collina for his stamp on Juan Sanchez which was missed by match officials but caught on camera.

But UEFA used video evidence to hand down the ban on the player accusing him of "deliberately" stamping on Valencia striker Juan Sanchez in an ugly incident in last week's 0-0 draw between the two clubs.

24-year-old Bowyer and Leeds appealed against the decision but any appeal could not take place until after the semi final defeat.

Leeds asked the English FA to speak to UEFA about Bowyer's plight..

The player ended the season as the second highest scorer in this season's Champions League with six goals in 13 games for Leeds on their run to the semi final.