SOCCER UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:THE UEFA general secretary, David Taylor, has condemned Chelsea's players for haranguing the referee, Tom Henning Ovrebo, in the immediate aftermath of their Champions League elimination to Barcelona and said the European game's governing body "expect better" in terms of the respect shown to match officials.
Uefa was awaiting the reports from the Norwegian referee and the match delegate last night but is expected to launch an inquiry into the ugly scenes that erupted as the players departed the turf at Stamford Bridge that could potentially see up to five charges brought against Chelsea.
Didier Drogba is braced to be sanctioned for sprinting back on to the pitch to abuse Ovrebo, despite issuing a grovelling apology last night, while Michael Ballack could face punishment for a similar outburst. John Terry and Jose Bosingwa could be charged for comments made about the referee and his appointment, while Chelsea could be charged with failing to control their players.
Chelsea’s hierarchy were unimpressed by Drogba’s behaviour, a reality that may yet have serious implications for the striker’s future given that he only has a year to run on his current contract, though they welcomed his public apology.
“I was very upset at what happened during the game, but having seen the pictures on TV, I accept that I overreacted,” said the 31-year-old. “I also fully accept that the language I used did not set a good example for those watching at home, especially children. I regret that in the heat of the moment I let out my incredible frustration and disappointment in this way, and for that I apologise.”
Taylor was quick to dismiss conspiracy theories first mooted by Chelsea’s furious players that Uefa had not wanted a repeat of last season’s all-English Champions League final against Manchester United, but admitted disgust at the abuse of Ovrebo. “When we get to the top level we expect better in terms of players’ behaviour,” said the Uefa general secretary.
“Refereeing is an extremely difficult job. All I would ask is a bit more respect is shown towards officials. Notwithstanding the high emotions, high drama, high stakes involved, these guys are out there in the middle having to make decisions just like that, on the spot. I spoke to Peter Kenyon at the end of the match and he fully accepts there are no conspiracies at all.”
While Drogba admitted he had “overreacted” following Andres Iniesta’s 93rd-minute equaliser, searing disappointment of the referee’s performance remains after four plausible penalty appeals were turned down. “We are all acutely aware of the responsibilities that lie with both the club and its players towards setting a good example as role models,” said a Chelsea spokesman.
“While it is clear that some of the events were regrettable, they occurred only because of the high emotions and frustrations which arose from the disappointment of a controversial defeat in such an important game. We made representations to Uefa immediately after the game and we await their comments.”
That report is likely to touch on several issues. The Chelsea full-back Bosingwa told Portuguese television immediately after the match that “this referee was bought”. “I do not know if he is a referee or a thief,” he added, though he apologised yesterday and put his comments down to “disappointment” and “frustration”. Whether that retraction is enough to avoid punishment remains to be seen, with Ballack – who was booked for sprinting 40 yards to berate the referee after seeing the fourth penalty appeal turned down – likely to see his conduct scrutinised given that his protests were maintained after the final whistle.
Uefa will also take a dim view towards Terry’s questioning of what was in his view the appointment of such a relatively inexperienced official, though the focus will centre on Drogba. The substituted striker had to be restrained by stewards and his manager, Guus Hiddink, after returning to the pitch on the final whistle to brand the referee “a f**king disgrace”, his outburst broadcast live on television with his complaints continuing down the tunnel.
Meanwhile, the bookies’ favourite to become Chelsea’s next manager was in town on Tuesday night. Carlo Ancelotti watched Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final defeat by Manchester United at the Emirates, with a private jet waiting to get him, David Beckham and other Milan players back in time for training the following morning.
Someone asked how his language lessons were coming along. “For the moment I still talk Italian,” he said in English.
Ancelotti’s fellow countrymen joke it will be a treat for him to be in charge of all the vibrant young talent at Stamford Bridge. After all, his current centre-back partnership at Milan comprises Giuseppe Favalli (37) and the 40-year-old Paolo Maldini.
In practice Ancelotti, or whoever else is appointed at Chelsea, will have to refresh the squad. It is indeed the torpor at Milan that had the club, Champions League winners in 2007, knocked out in the last 32 of the Uefa Cup this season by the German club Werder Bremen. Chelsea demand more. Elimination by Barcelona came as the side completed its fifth Champions League semi-final in six seasons.
Guardian Service
