Source: Daily_Mail
UEFA chief Michel Platini: Chelsea and Drogba will benefit from Euro ban
UEFA president Michel Platini believes Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will return to European football better and stronger following his three-match ban. [LNB]Drogba is expected to return against Atletico Madrid following his suspension for verbally abusing Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of their semi-final defeat at the hands of Barcelona last season. [LNB]Ovrebo turned down a string of Chelsea penalty appeals but Platini defended UEFA's handling of the controversy. [LNB] Outburst: Drogba let rip at referee Ovrebo after Chelsea Champions League exit[LNB]Platini has watched Drogba's foul-mouthed antics on video since and says he will be back better than before. [LNB]'What I saw on TV was the comportment of Didier,' said Platini. 'All the TV showed the insult of Drogba, not the decisions. I was like Drogba in the past when I saw an injustice as a player. But I don't know Drogba's mind. [LNB]'He took the decision that he felt was right for him. He was alone in thinking that. Drogba's a good guy. I know him very well. He understands now that he made a mistake. Everybody does. He will come back better, stronger.'[LNB]Platini also stressed he is not involved in the process of refereeing appointments. [LNB] Still going: The Chelsea striker wouldn't let it go[LNB]'When I arrive at a stadium, I don't know the name of the referee,' said Platini. 'That's the decision of the independent committee of referees. I was not there at Chelsea. I didn't know the name of the referee and I still don't. [LNB]'I don't know whether the referee made a mistake or not. If it was a mistake, I will say "it's not a mistake" because I have to defend the referees.'[LNB] Many Chelsea fans accused UEFA of a conspiracy against them, alleging that Platini wanted Barcelona to reach the final against Manchester United to prevent another all-Premier League showdown with the Blues. [LNB]'Do you think I am so stupid as to ask a referee to make Chelsea not get to the final?' said Platini. 'I always respect all the players and clubs. I don't interfere. If two English teams are in the final, I have no problem. If it's two Spanish teams, no problem. It's better if not two from the same country but it's not my problem. [LNB]'If they get there, they deserve to be there. It is not because I like Barcelona's system (of fan ownership) that I exempt them to go to the final.'[LNB]Platini also outlined plans to protect English teams from spiralling debts. [LNB]The Frenchman has often been accused of disliking English football - something he vehemently denies - but he insists the measures, which will be formulated by a UEFA committee from Monday onwards, are designed to help the clubs in the long term. [LNB] [LNB]Keeping the faith: UEFA boss Platini expects big things from Blues star Drogba[LNB]And he warned that failure to comply could see them banned from UEFA competitions. [LNB]'We have three years to regulate the situation. The idea is not to kill the clubs but to help them have better balances,' Platini told the Daily Telegraph. [LNB]'The philosophy to participate in our competitions is you must not spend more money than you receive. [LNB]'If (Manchester) United have 300 million euros and they spend 400 million euros - no![LNB] 'If Liverpool pay 60 million euros (in interest) every year to the banks, it's a lot of money. [LNB]'Every owner has asked me for a better philosophy, for better transparency. In Germany, debts are not accepted. In England they are. [LNB] 'Some of the chief executives are not okay with the chance of new regulations because they don't want to change their business. The owners are okay with it.' [LNB] Chelsea aren't the real deal, insists Carlo Ancelotti, but awesome Blues look a class act Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti warns his stars to keep their eyes on the prize Beckham confirms Milan return - AC agree January loan for England starUnited and Chelsea set to miss out as Bayern secure cash to keep RiberySir Alex Ferguson calls for consistency as champions head for ChelseaCHELSEA FC