UEFA charge Chelsea

22 May 2009 14:06
UEFA have initiated disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea, Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa in relation to incidents following the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. There were angry scenes at the end of the game on May 6, with Blues players confronting Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the final whistle. Barcelona went through to the final after drawing the match 1-1 but Chelsea claimed they should have had up to four penalties. A UEFA statement read: "The club are charged with the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters, while Drogba and Bosingwa are accused of being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments." It continued: "The club and the individuals concerned have been requested to file a statement by Friday, May 29. The UEFA control & disciplinary body will deal with the case on 17 June." Michael Ballack was so incensed by one decision that he ran fully 40 yards protesting alongside the referee and was eventually yellow-carded. Worse was to come on the final whistle when Drogba, who had been substituted in the second half, appeared from the tunnel to confront the Norwegian official. The following day, wing-back Jose Bosingwa laid the blame for the Blues' failure to reach their second successive final squarely at Henning's feet. "I don't know if he's a referee or a thief," he told Portuguese television station RTP. "I don't have any words to describe that man that was on the pitch." He later retracted the comments in a statement issued on behalf of the player to the Portuguese media, saying: "We were all very disappointed and frustrated after the game, but I regret describing the referee as a thief. Having had some time to reflect I would like to withdraw those comments."

Source: Eurosport