Source: SKY_Sports
Lamps defends Drogba rant
Frank Lampard has defended the actions of Didier Drogba in the wake of Chelsea's UEFA Champions League exit to Barcelona on Wednesday night.[LNB] At the final whistle the fiery front-man launched a tirade in the direction of referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after he rejected a number of Chelsea penalty appeals.[LNB]Drogba then proceeded to issue an expletive-ridden rant in front of the television cameras; an action that has reportedly not sat well with the club's board.[LNB]He has since issued an apology for his behaviour but widespeard reports in Friday's written press have suggested Chelsea could offload the player in the summer.[LNB]Lampard, though, feels Drogba had every right to express his frustration after what was a controversial night at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]Understandable"I can understand Didier's reactions," said Lampard. "He's an emotional man.[LNB]"That's the sort of player you want to play with and I think people can relate to that.[LNB]"All the fans in the stadium were frustrated at the end and I don't think people should make too much out of that.[LNB]"We were trying to get to the final and when that gets taken away you get passionate about it."[LNB]Chelsea's behaviour has come in for severe criticism with Drogba and several of his team-mates expected to receive Uefa sanctions.[LNB]Germany midfielder Michael Ballack also made his feelings known to Ovrebo and appeared to touch the official as he protested one decision.[LNB]But Lampard defended his team-mates, saying: "I don't know what people expect. When you have 11 grown men battling to get to the final and at least three penalty decisions don't go your way, you can't expect men to walk off quietly.[LNB]"There was nothing violent, it was just angry because we had worked so very hard to get this far."[LNB]Conspiracy theoryThe referee's performance has led some to speculate about a conspiracy to prevent an all-English final with Barcelona's away-goals win putting them into the Rome showpiece against defending champions Manchester United.[LNB]Lampard stopped short of joining the conspiracy theorists, but did say he had tried to get an explanation from the official as to why so many decisions had gone against his side.[LNB]"I tried to ask the question of the referee," he said. "One decision, maybe you don't get it, two maybe. Three, four or five then it's just not possible that you don't get them.[LNB]"It's not for me to say if it's a conspiracy but you have to wonder why. The ref didn't say anything. He didn't explain, but then I don't think it's explainable. I think if he looks again he will realise it's clear to see."[LNB]
