Busquets denies racially abusing Marcelo

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has denied allegations that he racially abused Real Madrid's Marcelo in the first-leg of the club's Champions League semi-final on April 27.

The player was speaking after UEFA announced that they had opened up a disciplinary case against Busquets.

Madrid accused the Barcelona midfielder of calling the Brazilian left-back a "mono" (monkey), and provided video evidence which they claim supports their allegation

However, the secretary for the Barcelona board, Toni Freixa has confirmed that Busquets denies the accusations, with Busquets admitting he said Marcelo had a "a lot of nerve".

"When they [Real Madrid] showed images from Youtube [on their site], we spoke to the player and he told us the accusations are false, and what he said was [Marcelo had] 'some nerve.'", Freixa told Barca TV.

Barcelona will submit their arguments to UEFA on Friday although Freixa is concerned about the outcome.

"We are at an early stage of what could be a great injustice. We hope that UEFA maintain a serious approach and continue, as they have done, to protect the innocent," he added.

if found guilty, Busquets could be suspended from the Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley on May 28.

A UEFA statement read: "UEFA has started disciplinary proceedings against the FC Barcelona midfield player Sergio Busquets – with the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body to deal with the case on 15 May.

"UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against FC Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, who is alleged to have violated Article 11 bis of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations by directing racist abuse towards a Real Madrid CF player in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between the clubs on 27 April.

"The proceedings have been launched on the basis of evidence provided by Real Madrid (video and statement of club and player). The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on Sunday 15 May and the decision will be communicated to the club on Monday 16 May."