FOOTBALL CLUB WORLD

Peruvian Football Federation sanctioned four players after an alcohol scandal during the South Africa 2010 qualifiers. And even though Claudio Pizarro is one of the punished players, he has denied any participation in the incident.

Claudio Pizarro, whose career as a Chelsea striker is coming to a close, was said to be involved in the events and was suspended from playing for the peruvian national selection as well as fined $20,000.

In response, the former captain of stated that Peru's Football Federation (FPF) was not being run well and that Manuel Burga was at its head. The forward affirmed that someone was out to get him and he would find out who, stating that the federation's lack of effective management would soon come to light.

"That's totally false," said Burga in an interview on a local radio. "I've known a lot of the players since they played U-17. There isn't anything against anyone," affirmed the president of the federation.

When told about the player's plans to take the federation to court, Burga assured that if this was done, Claudio Pizarro's case would be taken to the FIFA. The head of the FPF assured that this meant the Chelsea striker would be exposed to international banning.

In fact, Pizarro could be banned from playing for clubs in the same way he was banned from playing for the national team.

Surprisingly, Chelsea player Frank Lampard avoided Tuesday a three-game ban. Indeed, the Football Association (FA) overturned the red card the England international received when he was sent-off in the 4-0 victory away to West Ham last weekend.

The talented yet polemic Lampard, who'd opened the scoring against his old club at Upton Park, was sent-off following a clash with Luis Boa Morte.

However, referee Peter Walton told an FA regulatory commission he and his assistant made a mistake.

that's why the commission had to decide if the officials had made a "serious and obvious" error in dismissing the 29-year-old. The same commission also had to take into account the UEFA guideline that while endangering an opponent warrants a red card, contact on or above the neck is deemed to be violent conduct.

So, Lampard's reprieve allows him to play against Barnsley in the FA Cup and the Premier League games against Derby and Sunderland.

In fact, by appealing Chelsea risked Lampard's ban being extended to four games had the verdict gone against the Stamford Bridge club.

We must remember that the same situation happened to Middlesbrough's Jeremie Aliadiere last week when a disciplinary panel rejected what they said was a "frivolous" appeal against a red card.

But correct Tuesday's ruling may be under the rules, it is bound to fuel the suspicion expressed by Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb that there is one rule for 'big' clubs such as Chelsea FC and another for the rest of the teams.

By the way, Chelsea's next match sees them up against Olympiakos in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.