Uefa let Leeds United down again

He said he was “very, very disappointed” at the decision.

Corbett recently travelled to Geneva, where Uefa is based, to personally deliver a 10,000-name petition signed by supporters all over Britain.

It called for the body to look again at what many believe is one of the sport’s great injustices, the bizarre referring decisions blamed for the defeat of Leeds in the cup final.

Corbett met Peter Limancher, Uefa’s head of legal affairs and compliance during his visit to the Swiss city.

He said, “They told me they were staggered at the response to his petition, particularly as it dates back to a game so long ago.

Corbett, who used to represent Yorkshire and the Humber, launched the campaign in the summer. It was signed by ex-Leeds stars like Peter Lorimer and called for an investigation into allegations of match-fixing surrounding United’s 1-0 loss to AC Milan 26 years ago.

“I and others were amazed that so many signed it in a short space of time,” he said. “But Uefa have told me that if the only way the matter could be resolved would be for it to go to court and that the courts would shoot it down, not least because Uefa cannot reinvestigate cases dating more more than 10 years. Put simply, their hands are tied by the courts.

“In light of what I have been told it appears, sadly, as though there is little or nothing we can do.”

Corbett, a Liverpool fan, wanted the matter investigated because he regards it as a long-standing point of principle.

Corbett points out there is a precedent for opening an inquiry.

In 1984, the English side Nottingham Forest won the first leg of a European tie 2-0 at home only to lose 3-0 in Belgium, with a controversial goal ruled out.

Anderlecht later admitted they had paid Spanish official Emilio Guruceta Muro over €20,000 as a “loan” before the game and were later banned from European competition for a year.

Author and avid Leeds fan Gary Edwards was at the game in Thessalonika back in 1973 and said, “It was obvious in the opening minutes that there was no way Leeds were going to win.

“The referee, Christos Michas, arrived on the same plane as AC Milan and any thoughts that this was just a coincidence were banished after only four minutes when the referee awarded a free-kick to Milan for an innocuous challenge by Paul Madeley.

“Chiaguri, a Milan player, hit the ball against a United defender, the ball then bounced onto a Milan forward before going into the net via the foot of a post.

“Throughout the game, absolute cast-iron penalty appeals from United were turned down. These ranged from blatant handballs to forwards being hacked down on several occasions.

“Anyone who feels these claims are wildly exaggerated should sit down and watch the DVD of the game.

“Another puzzling thing that night was the fact that Milan only scored once, but of course in hindsight that was all they needed.

“Christos Michas is Greek, which made it even more baffling that he arrived on the Milan plane, but his fellow countrymen in the crowd were so incensed with his behaviour that they constantly chanted ‘Shame!’ and ‘Cheat!’ They even began chanting the name of Leeds United along with the United fans.”

“After the game, as Michas ran for cover down the tunnel, the Greeks halted a lap of honour by the Italians by bombarding them with missiles and anything they could lay their hands on. Milan too, then disappeared down the tunnel, leaving the Leeds players on the pitch to accept the plaudits.

“In 2004, I visited the same stadium when Leeds United were invited to the opening of a newly refurbished stadium. During this visit I met many Greeks who still remembered that night and in particular their shamed countryman, Christos Michas.”

He added, “I am saddened the case will not be at least looked at again but at the very least it has brought this despicable affair to a wider public.”