European football governing body UEFA has cleared the racism charges against Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, leveled by Real Madrid, and he is free to play in the Champions League final against Manchester United.

After the first leg against Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals, Madrid released a video footage of Busquets secretively mouthing words which were subtitled mono, mono at Marcelo which means, monkey, monkey.

However, UEFA has decided to clear the Spaniard of all charges and he is now free to face Manchester United in the Champions League final at Wembley on 28 May. UEFA, in a statement, revealed that lack of evidence was the reason the allegations were dropped.

The statement read, ''The chairman of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body, acting as a judge sitting alone, has today decided to dismiss the complaint lodged by Real Madrid CF for racial abuse against its player Marcelo by FC Barcelona player Sergio Busquets in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between the clubs in Madrid on 27 April, due to a lack of strong and convincing evidence.''

Barcelona also confirmed the news in a statement in their website.

''Sergio Busquets will play in the Champions League final. UEFA has notified FC Barcelona they have dismissed the claims of Real Madrid.''.

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola publicly gave his backing to Busquets earlier this week saying, All I would say is that I have known Sergio for a long time and if he tells me something I believe him because I know him.

However, Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka slammed the midfielder saying, My view is the same as that which was expressed in the statement issued by the club & everyone saw what he did.

The incident was one of many others which marred the tie. Both Spanish giants had lodged complaints to UEFA. Eventually, Barcelona progressed to the final as 3-1 aggregate victors.

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