Source: Daily_Mail
Infamous Chelsea v Barcelona official Tom Henning Ovrebo quits international refereeing
The referee who took charge of Chelsea's acrimonious Champions League semi-final exit to Barcelona in 2009 has quit international refereeing.[LNB]Norwegian official Tom Henning Ovrebo made his decision after not being picked for this year's World Cup in South Africa. [LNB]The 43-year-old hit the headlines when he received death threats after rejecting several penalty appeals by Chelsea in their Champions League clash with the Catalans in the 2008-2009 season. [LNB] Controversial: Ovrebo was blamed by Chelsea for their defeat to Barca in 2009 [LNB] 'Tom Henning and his team had a big goal to get to the World Cup but didn't succeed,' Rune Pedersen, the head of Norwegian referees, told Reuters on Friday. [LNB] He added that Ovrebo, who has handled 23 Champions League matches since 2001 and numerous internationals including Euro 2008, will be over the age limit for Euro 2012. [LNB]The Chelsea match at Stamford Bridge finished 1-1 but Barca reached the final on away goals and British media reported that Ovrebo had to be smuggled out of England under police escort. [LNB] Chelsea condemned the threats after the highly-charged game, which was settled by Andres Iniesta's late goal and followed by a confrontation between striker Didier Drogba and Ovrebo. [LNB] 'He (Ovrebo) has had 16 years internationally... there have been good achievements and some tough matches like Chelsea-Barcelona and Bayern-Fiorentina,' said Pedersen. [LNB]'Chelsea have been against other referees as well and they have not always behaved well so if they see this as a victory, I think they are mistaken,' he added. [LNB] In this year's Champions League last-16 tie between Bayern Munich and Fiorentina, the Italians protested to the linesman after Ovrebo allowed a Miroslav Klose goal in a 2-1 first leg win which both coaches agreed was several metres offside. Bayern face Inter Milan in the final on Saturday. [LNB] Hands off! Atletico warn Man United and Chelsea off £52m ace AgueroRibery snubs Chelsea to hit jackpot with four-year Bayern Munich dealRonaldo, Kaka, Villa and Fabregas show the Premier League is no match for Spain's La LigaCHELSEA FC
