Mellberg unhappy with Chelsea

11 March 2009 10:45
Olof Mellberg has criticised Chelsea's players for what he felt were repeated attempts to influence the referee during Juventus' UEFA Champions League elimination on Tuesday night.[LNB] A 2-2 draw at Stadio Olimpico proved enough for Chelsea to progress to the quarter-finals following their 1-0 win in the first leg at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]Referee Antonio Rubinus Perez was at the forefront of much of the controversy on what was a frenetic evening of football in Turin.[LNB]Having controversially ruled Didier Drogba's free-kick had not been taken over the line by Gianluigi Buffon - a decision that infuriated Chelsea - Perez then went on to award Juventus a penalty after earlier sending off Giorgio Chiellini.[LNB]Former Aston Villa defender Mellberg feels Chelsea's players crossed the line in their protestations towards Perez.[LNB]Ugly antics"They attacked the referee and the linesmen with five or six players," he told Viasat. "It looked really ugly. [LNB]"They continuously tried to affect the referee with half a dozen players, so we tried to break them up."[LNB]Mellberg also felt Chiellini was unfortunate to see red after his defensive partner was booked for a second time for going through the back of Drogba.[LNB]"I don't think it's a yellow," he added. "It felt like a tough booking.[LNB]"He went into the contact honestly."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports