By Andrew Warshaw
August 21 – Despite pleading their innocence and accusing UEFA of foul play, Legia Warsaw have dismissed the administrator considered responsible for the clerical error led to the Polish club being thrown out of the Champions League.
Marta Ostrowska was identified as the official who failed to acknowledge that Legia’s Bartosz Bereszynski was still suspended when the player came on as a late substitute in a second leg qualifier against Celtic that led to the Scottish champions being reinstated despite a 6-1 aggregate defeat.
It was an oversight which cost Legia up to £20 million of Champions League money – three other Legia administrative staff have apparently been suspended too.
Ostrowska, who had reportedly received death threats from supporters, was quoted as saying: “There have been occasions where someone called the club and asked for my address. I’ve been told it would be better for me and my family to spend a few days outside of Warsaw.”
Dariusz Mioduski, majority owner and chairman of Legia, who were demoted to the Europa League, is still furious that all attempts at having the punishment lessened, including a last-ditch appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, failed.
“The word disappointment doesn’t portray our emotions,” he said. “It is more complete frustration and anger. We admit our mistake but the penalty that was received is completely disproportionate and it goes against everything that sport is supposed to be about.”
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