Chelsea v Barcelona: Reaction

06 May 2009 22:50
As Barca celebrated their victory under the away goals rule following the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, there were ugly scenes on the touchline when one of their substitutes shoulder-charged Guus Hiddink. Chelsea's interim manager was caught in the melee. [LNB]Striker Didier Drogba, who had already been substituted, ran on to remonstrate with the officials and had to be pulled away and forced back down the tunnel. Drogba was cautioned and then shouted "It's a ------- disgrace" into the television camera, forcing Sky to apologise three times. There are likely to be repercussions from Uefa. [LNB] Related ArticlesChelsea 1 Barcelona 1: Match reportChelsea v Barcelona: In picturesChelsea v Barcelona: Thierry Henry ruled out with knee injuryChelsea v Barcelona preview: Champions League semi-finalChelsea v Barcelona: Didier Drogba ready to outscore BarcelonaChelsea v Barcelona: Guus Hiddink fires a warning to his ageing squadThe game ended in chaos with Chelsea, not for the first time, screaming for a penalty as referee Tom Henning Ovrebo almost lost control. The Norwegian had already denied Chelsea two clear penalties and also, wrongly, sent off Barca defender Eric Abidal for an alleged trip on Nicolas Anelka. [LNB]The most controversial incident was when Anelka's shot struck Gerard Pique on the hand and the defender admitted: "To be fair, the ball touched my hand. I didn't want to touch it and the ref decided to say it wasn't a penalty. You have to respect the decisions of the referee. Sometimes they are wrong."[LNB]At the final whistle the Chelsea supporters reacted with anger as the Barca players and coaches swarmed around the pitch. It was a cruel end for Chelsea who, after holding Barca to a goalless draw in the first leg, had appeared destined for a rematch of last year's final against United, in Rome on May 27. [LNB]Chelsea had led through Michael Essien's wonderful volley in the ninth minute but it was not enough. [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph