Blues to respond to UEFA sanctions

17 June 2009 16:36
Chelsea were on Wednesday considering their response to UEFA's decision to hand lengthy European bans to Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa and fine the club ¦pound;85,000 following their controversial Champions League exit to Barcelona. Ivorian striker Drogba was given a six-match ban - the last two suspended for two years - for his foul-mouthed confrontation with referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of their Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona in May. UEFA's control and disciplinary body also handed a four-match ban - the last game suspended for two years - to right-back Bosingwa. The Portugal defender labelled Ovrebo a "thief" after the same game, while the club received a fine of ¦pound;85,000 for the improper conduct of their players and for the throwing of missiles by their supporters. A spokesman for Chelsea said: "We are considering our response." Chelsea and both players have three days in which to launch an appeal and Chelsea have indicated they are likely to respond to the verdicts either later on Wednesday or Thursday. The UEFA statement read: "Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been suspended for six UEFA club competition matches - the last two of which are deferred for a probationary period of two years - following incidents at the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona in London on May 6. The decision was taken on Wednesday by the UEFA control and disciplinary body. "In addition, Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa has been suspended for four UEFA club competition matches, the last of which is deferred for a probationary period of two years, for offences at the same match. "Drogba and Bosingwa were facing charges of being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments. "Drogba's suspension applies to the next four UEFA club competition matches for which the player would be eligible, while Bosingwa's suspension applies to the next three UEFA club competition matches for which the player would be eligible."

Source: Eurosport