Lee Bowyer, at the centre of more storms in his short career than many of the boats docked in Valencia's old harbour, found himself in the eye of another whirlwind last night when UEFA imposed a shock three-match suspension for Bowyer's "gross unsporting conduct" and "assault" in the 25th minute of Leeds United's first leg tie with Valencia when Bowyer appeared to stamp on Juan Sanchez as the Spanish player lay on the ground.
The suspension has immediate effect and with UEFA's next disciplinary meeting not until Friday, Leeds's appeal could not be heard and the decision could not be overturned in time for Bowyer to play in Valencia tonight (kick-off 7.45, TV3).
The Leeds manager David O'Leary reacted with predictable surprise and dismay. "I'm quite shocked really," he said at a frenzied press conference inside the Mestalla stadium.
"I'm all for video evidence I think it's a great thing, referees can't have eyes in the back of their head (given his call for the use of video evidence against Martin Keown after Saturday's Premiership game with Arsenal, he could hardly say anything else). But I can't believe after seeing the video how they can justify a charge of violent play."
O'Leary said he first heard about the ruling at five o'clock yesterday. He was in his hotel room around the corner from the Mestalla when he took a telephone call - "one phone call, nothing else" - and the implication was that he knew nothing about the issue until that call. A couple of minutes later, however, after his press officer had whispered in his ear, O'Leary said that Leeds had received a letter from UEFA last Friday informing the club of their investigation. "They said they would be making a decision on Monday," O'Leary said.
Leeds still intend to appeal - they do not think Bowyer's action was deliberate and will hope that UEFA reduce the charge to one of "rough play" and called the incident "a collision". It would bring a lesser penalty of a one-match ban, meaning Bowyer would be available for selection should Leeds reach the final. UEFA's timing has to be questioned, but clubs are well aware that the UEFA president Gerhard Aigner has been keen to enforce heavy fines for any behaviour perceived as unacceptable. UEFA's official statement said that Bowyer's "assault . . . constituted an illicit attack against the physical integrity of the Valencia player."
Neither the decision nor the investigation is unprecedented. European football's governing body has used video evidence to indict Lazio's Pavel Nedved for his horrendous challenge on Leeds's Alan Maybury at Elland Road on March 14th - Nedved was also given a three-game suspension - and one week earlier against Real Madrid's Raul. That too involved Leeds, Raul having clearly punched in a goal, yet the Madrid player's one-match punishment was subsequently overturned.
Leeds will surely point to UEFA's inconsistencies and also to their selective use of videotape when they appeal, but for now there is nothing they can do. Bowyer is out and as a remarkably upbeat O'Leary said: "We've got to get on with it. We've had plenty of hurdles until now, I think the only people who haven't been involved are NATO. The players are quite shocked, they're bonding - it's `Let's do it for Bow' stuff. We have done it without him in the past."
That is true - Leeds won 4-1 without Bowyer at Anderlecht, for example, while the player was on trial in Hull - but Leeds had more time to prepare for that eventuality. Last night, as the players trained in the warm sunshine embracing the Mestalla, Bowyer lay on the turf watching. "He's shocked," said O'Leary of his important but troubled midfielder, "he said he tried to step over him (Sanchez). What we have to do is try to get into the final and get him there."
O'Leary declared initially that he would have to change his system but rowed back from that later. If he retains the 4-4-2 formation, then there is a possibility that Gary Kelly will be used in Bowyer's position. The other direct alternative is Eirik Bakke, though the Norwegian had a poor game on Saturday.
Alan Smith, David Batty and Mills, all of whom missed Saturday, should return, while for Valencia Fabio Aurelio and Kily Gonzalez are likely to come in for the suspended Amedeo Carboni and Ruben Baraja.
The £20 million Argentinian creator Pablo Aimar is not expected to start. Aimar scored for Valencia in their 2-1 win against Real Sociedad on Saturday but not even that appears to have convinced manager Hector Cuper that he merits a place tonight. This despite Valencia's poor goal tally this season.
"I should imagine they would want to score goals," O'Leary said. "But in the back of their mind they will be wary that we can score goals away from home. They've got to be positive and, I hope, over-adventurous. But let's stress that we don't have to win this game."
Indeed, 0-0 would take the game into extra-time and then penalties if necessary, but any scoring draw would put Leeds into the final.
Motivation will hardly be a problem now that Leeds have injustice to add to their natural energy and aggression. O'Leary, when defending Bowyer, had made the point that the Spanish media had not made any derogatory comments about Bowyer, but there was some spectacular derision from the daily sports newspaper Marca after the first leg. "Primitive" was their description of Leeds.
Given that all the Leeds players have had their heads shaved for this evening - barring Bowyer, Jonathan Woodgate and Ian Harte, who is getting married soon - Leeds will even look the part for their hosts.
This ancient city, which has had its old walls captured by everyone from Romans to Moors to Visigoths and even the horsebound corpse of El Cid, awaits the new tribe from Yorkshire - skinheads. Talented ones, mind. But now without their talisman.
