Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has condemned the death threats made against Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo following his controversial handling of Chelsea's Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona.
Hodgson, who managed Viking FK in Norway in 2004-5, also took issue with Jamie Redknapp, the TV pundit and former England player, who had questioned the decision to put a referee from the Norwegian League in charge of the high-profile Champions League semi-final.
"I find it quite appalling that referees should be under death threats," said the Fulham boss.
"Do you want to go down the Jamie Redknapp route - only England, Italy and Spain count, everywhere else is no good?
"There's 60 countries in Europe. Do we say to the other 57: 'Sorry pal, you're not Premier League'.
"Norway is good enough. The average crowd in Norway is 15,000 and that's in a country of four million. We can only average 25,000 in a country of 60 million people."
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chelsea 'fans' have no idea about the actual gam and only go to watch money
Rufus we are not all scum,all clubs have their fair share of scum who supposedly support their team probably find its a minority of idiots that have dragged the Chhelsea name through the mud.Here is one Chelsea fan who would like to apologise to that ref for his treatment but having said that sticking to comment previously posted on standard of ref.Goodluck to Man U aswell hope they do it as a supporter of football great to see English clubs doing so well year after year in Europe.
The two best teams of the world have made it to the final, that's it. Everybody is talking about the referee not giving Chelsea penalties for handball and supporting Barca, but why no asks about the Ballack's handball in the first half. The biased Sky sports team didn't even show that clip. They only show decisions that went against Chelsea. Why the English anchors and journalists don't talk about the penalty Barca should have had in the first leg or the Ballack handball. If Barcelona had got any of these penalties and scored. It would have been a different outcome. The English media is very very biased and unbelievably manipulative.The referee should have given a penalty to Barca in the first half when the ball touched Ballack's hand. If he didn't give that why should he give the other ones to Chelsea. Those who are burning with conspiracy theories should go and see the repeat telecast of the match again(the first half).
What about Carvalho holding Valdes when Terry scored the winner against Barcelona in the 2005 knockout stages? Why didn't anyone talk about that unbelievable refereeing blunder at that time. Why didn't Sky sports show that clip again and again as it is doing now. Why didn't the English journalists and anchors didn't discuss that then. And who was the referee....Mr. Colina...the so-called world's best referee.The English media is manipulative and biased.What goes around comes around......
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Im a Chelsea fan and even I cringed at Drogbas reaction in front of possibly millions of viewers. One thing I would say Im in agreement with the standard of ref and for a high profile game as that it needed a ref of a higher standing and stronger temperment.What would be good is for the ref now that he has probably had chance to review the highlights and reflect on hs actions give us his view on why there was not atleast one penalty given for such blatant foul on Drogba and a cert handball not counting the Ballack one that was never a pen.I do feel the fans have some sort of explanation due to them.
good old chelsea scum-got one referee to retire due to death threats and another scared for his life and family's well being. Russian mafia alive and well in West London. And Terry as England captain. What a wonderful team.....football is morally bankrupt with Stamford Bridge the gateway to all that is horrible and obscene about the game. Well done, Matthew Harding's ghost must be weeping now.
nahmad, there's this thing called away goals...
as roy has won the premier league title in the past he knows a lot more than the pillocks complianing. What exactly do you know about refereeing you bitter little boys?
how can barca win the match 1-1? logically it's impossible!
paloi nuan nya...
The better team won, SHUT up you stup!d Chelsea fans, and yes, show some more respect to other teams and other leagues, its just ridiculous how arogant english fans are. SHAMEFUL.
Michael l, give it a little more of a push and you will get your head rght up hodgsons arse, go away you sad muppet. the ref deserves everything he gets for throwing the game.CHELSEA BY BIRTH NOT GLORY.
Dont Talk about what you don't know Hodgson
Roy Hodgson is totally right. Redknapp is a young, emotional young man with little sense of proportion or respect for officials from any country. His words were a disgrace and the TV authorities should in future consider taking some action to calm pundits down. In fact Sousness was almost as bad - he should know better by now.
mr hogson try and look for good investors or your chaiman sell off,wheel and deal till fulham gets to europe as in champions league,then you get cheated in the way chelsea were cheated,then you can lecture us about the scads for now pls keep your damn opinion to your self please
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