Eurosport - Fri, 08 May 09:01:00 2009
Chelsea have issued a statement condemning any threats that have been made against referee Tom Henning Ovrebo following his performance in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
It has been reported that internet death threats had been made against the Norwegian official and that he had been "smuggled out of the country" under police escort and advised to change hotels.
"Following media reports claiming threats have been made against the referee of last night's game, Chelsea Football Club would like to make clear that it condemns any form of threat against players, officials or supporters," the club said in a statement.
"If provided with proper evidence Chelsea will take the strongest action against any season ticket holders or members who have participated in this activity.
"Everybody connected with Chelsea is very disappointed with the events of last night. However we would stress that we have received no evidence that Chelsea fans are involved in any of the alleged threats reported."
"As a result of these reports we have also been in contact with the police who likewise had not received any complaints."
Chelsea fans were upset Ovrebo did not award them a penalty, despite several strong appeals, during the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge that sent Barcelona into the final on the away goals rule.
Several players, notably striker Didier Drogba, remonstrated furiously with the referee after the tie, which was settled by Andres Iniesta's stoppage-time goal.
Swedish referee Anders Frisk retired after he and his family received death threats following his dismissal of Drogba against the same opponents in the 2005 Champions League.
Ovrebo told Aftenposten that he had been informed by UEFA not to make any comment on the furore.
"Because of the circumstances after the match, Uefa has asked me not to comment to the press," Ovrebo said.
Former international referee Graham Poll commented: "This morning he's being smuggled out of our country under police escort - this is a referee of a football match. That is a disgrace.
"When he booked in a hotel they had to change the hotel he was staying at because of the fear that maybe fans would find him."
Comment 672 - 691 of 711
Chelsea should be banned at least 2 years from Europe as well as Drogba, as this is not their first outburst. Instead of accusing the ref they should lokk at the game again and blame themselves for missing all these chances.. As for Ballack, everybody knows he has no respect for the refs and his opponents in a game...
Hi i am a manu fan and i know chelsea lost and they blame the ref for not giving the so called penalties lets take the first on malouda was pulling and tugging at the Barcelona defender then went down as if he had been shot pen number two Anelka went down out side the pen box i should say he stumbled out side it hand ball one yes it did touch his hand if the linesman doesent give it then that doesnt help the ref and Ballack wanting hand ball the guy didnt even no where the ball was going chelsea had two legs to win game and didnt match up but remember they did the same against anders fisk .
Dundee62000
Cry all you want Chelsea is not going to Rome so.......The FA and Prem is all you have to fight for so your season not over....Unlike other teams like Liverpool or Arsenal...
Why do people always go on about Chelsea money, man U and Real madrid spend as much on players and so do liverpool. When abramovich came in, Chelsea already had a good team.
The best teams have always brought the best players , thats football and thats history.
So unfair to chelsea, this is the worst judgemental case i have ever seen. Chelsea has put up a great show and hiddink is the man to applaude to. The players did well and yet the injustice is done to the greatest team in Europe. Sigh.....!
The club will take action against "season ticket holders or members" what about controlling your players and manager? Judging by the luck in the eyes of Terry, Ballack, Drogba and Malouda the main threats were physical not written on some internet web site. The manager and captain also captain of England have publically backed the players behaviour. Incredible.
come off it theres always death threats when chelski lose the big games it has happened before and will happen again its about time this club was disbanded the whole lot off them are a total disgrace to sport how long must real fans a football lovers put up with them
face up to it chelsea fans u lost so bear with it plus what kinda roll model is drogba cursing and swearing on tv he shud be ban for what he did hes a sore loser all your millions dont give you the right too win any thing plus if drogba spent more time on his feet than on the ground u wud have wont the match so just get on with it
da jabba liverpool won champion league that time 2005 u gave have champion in champions league
Urs Meier, Anders Frisk, now this guy; I can only say that there is an increasingly worrying trend with Chelsea that when they lose the feel it is pertinent to issue fatwas against the referee. They have always been like this. A person in TV who I know once told me that Paul Canoville had to play extra well to ward off the abuse of the neo-nazis that populate the terraces there. Without the Russian's money they'd be just like Stockport (in the 2nd division); they should thank their lucky stars that the guy decided to pump some money into them rather than Stoke City. Without the cash where would they be? In 1983 during a Milk Cup match there were 1800 people in Stamford Bridge. I just wish the authorities would arrest the Russian, seize his cash and we could have no more of this. By the way the referee did nothing wrong. Chelsea just didn't win; it's a poor team that relies on the decisions of the referee to get them through.
spain is euro champion! however Man U will win!! forget about chelsea. they already lose...
I totaly agree with vanessa.safe and I am a great fan of all English football clubs.
Yes English football is the best football in the world compared only to Brasilian football and you should all be proud.
And,by the way, this comes from a Greek not an English person.
Shame for Chelsea, all the best to MAN U.
GO MAN U, GO!!!
Why players are traying to find argumentation on offitials in stand of analising f.e."Way Drogba-Anelka din not score twice in position with Valdes, was it officials foult, was Esiens foult in end of the game osicials", so many times it hepend, lets move to the final and tri to save fans and footbol future. Congratulate Barcelona, and grete footbol wich we are watching today.
cant belive all the comments from u loyal chelsea fans ?????? shame none of u could turn up and watch the 1st game
Didier sucks really bad. I thought years of living in europe has polished you up. Some of the best gentlemen on the field today are Ivorien-, Kolo Toure, Yahya Toure, Salomon Kalou etc. MAybe Didier belongs to the warring tribes of the Ivory Coast. Send the beast back to his Jungle home be'cos he can never be tamed.
And come to think of it, they made him chief after his controversial African best Footballer Award. King of he Jungle Indeed.
I wouldn`t be surprised if there is a hit order out against that referee
im not a chelsea fan but it was clear that they deserved to go through, football is a game of defence as well as attack, uefa dont like the domination of english clubs and the way we play proper football(defending and attacking). they`d rather teams with @#$% defence but that can score 5 or 6 goals!! enter all spanish teams. instead of slatting our great english teams the europeans should be taking notes on the premier league, we invented the game and we play the beutiful game better than any league in the world. be proud people not bitter, going down with the toon.
players like drogba ranting and bullying gives fans the reasons to make death threats. drogba had no right to question or intimidate the referee, they are ways to do things but not in that way. When fans see drogba's action and total idiocy they feel as fans they should do somethings. Drogba must at all times be a professional which he is useless at. Drogba must be banned for 6 months and fined 6 months pay. He deserves it. A disgrace to football and a disgrace to the african continent.
NOT ONLY THEY SAY (MANURE) WE ALL KNOW SCOUCERS ARE LOW LIVES, THEIVING THUGS. WE ALSO KNOW THEY ARE @#$% AT FOOTIE THESE DAYS UNDER MOANING RAFA- FACT- U NOT HAD ANY TROPHY FOR A WHILE. DANG
The referee who controled chelsea match against Barcena was biased
ISAAC TOO
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