Chelsea launch Euro appeal

22 June 2009 17:17
Chelsea have appealed against the punishments they received from Uefa following their controversial UEFA Champions League semi-final defeat at the hands of Barcelona. Striker Didier Drogba was handed a six-game European ban following his confrontation with referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, with the final two matches deferred for two years. Team-mate Jose Bosingwa was issued a four-game ban, again with the final two matches deferred, after comments about Ovrebo in a post-match interview, which he later retracted. Chelsea were fined €100,000 (£85,000) for improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters. The Blues were infuriated by the referee's performance in the second leg of their semi-final showdown with eventual winners Barcelona, as they saw four fervent penalty appeals rejected. The Spanish giants booked their place in the Rome final on away goals courtesy of a last-gasp strike from Andres Iniesta and went on to lift the trophy with a 2-0 success over Manchester United. European football's governing body have confirmed that a date for the appeal will be announced in due course. A statement on Uefa's official website read: "Chelsea FC have appealed against the decisions taken last week by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body in relation to the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against FC Barcelona in London on 6 May."

Source: SKY_Sports