Uefa has rejected Manchester United's appeal against Darren Fletcher's red card in the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.

Fletcher was given a straight red for a professional foul on Arsenal's Cesc Fábregas in the penalty area, but television replays have subsequently suggested that he got a clean touch on the ball.

Uefa also rejected Barcelona's appeals against Eric Abidal's dismissal and Dani Alves' caution against Chelsea and all three will miss the Rome final on 27 May.

A statement from European football's ruling body said: "Even if they had been admitted they would have been rejected as unfounded as there were no grounds for contesting the referees' original decisions."

Sir Alex Ferguson had not been confident about overturning the decision. "We have to do it for Darren and sometimes in these situations, you never know," he said. "The referee made an honest decision."

The committee's decision can be appealed within three days but any such appeal would appear destined to fail.