Champions League - Chelsea duo charged

Eurosport - Sat, 23 May 09:01:00 2009

Chelsea players Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa have been charged with misconduct by UEFA after ugly scenes at the end of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on May 6.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Champions League Chelsea's Didier Drogba launches tirade at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after final whistle - 0

UEFA has also brought disciplinary proceedings against the Premier League club for the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their fans.

Barcelona went through to the final against Manchester United next Wednesday on away goals after the match ended in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Ivory Coast captain Drogba harangued Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle before directing a foul-mouthed tirade at a television camera while Bosingwa made disparaging remarks about Ovrebo in the media. Both players face charges of bad sportsmanship.

"UEFA has today announced it has instigated disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea FC and two Chelsea players, Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa, following the Champions League second leg semi-final match at Stamford Bridge.

The statement added: "The disciplinary proceedings are based on the following charges:

"Chelsea FC for being responsible for the improper conduct of players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters.

"Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa for being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments."

Chelsea issued a statement on their website saying the club would respond to the charges in "due course" adding:

"We would like to make clear again, as we did at the time, that the incidents in question were regrettable and occurred only because of the high emotions and frustrations which arose from the disappointment of a controversial defeat in such an important game.

"We are all acutely aware of the responsibilities that lie with both the club and its players as regards setting a good example as role models and upholding the principles of fair play in football. Both of the players accept that and apologised honestly very soon afterwards for their actions."

A tense semi-final, second leg, turned nasty when Barcelona's Andres Iniesta scored in the third minute of stoppage time to level an early goal by Michael Essien, sending Chelsea out of the competition on the away goals rule.

Drogba, and other Chelsea players, were furious that several strong penalty claims had been turned down during the match.

Bosingwa later described the referee as "a thief" when talking to Portuguese television. Both players later apologised for their reactions.

Chelsea's Germany captain Michael Ballack has escaped any punishment despite charging after Ovrebo when another penalty appeal was waved away as they searched for a last-gasp winner.

UEFA has asked Chelsea for statements from the club and the two players by May 29. UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on June 17.

Reuters

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  1. chelsick, abramovic and his army of mercenary players­ are a disgrace to the game. they
    should be banned for­ half a season, for them to learn a lesson.

    BEL pa zed

    From Brian, on Tue 26 May 4:29PM

  2. chelsick, abramovic and his army of mercenary players­ are a disgrace to the game. they
    should be banned for­ half a season, for them to learn a lesson.

    BEL pa zed

    From Brian, on Tue 26 May 4:25PM

  3. chelsick, abramovic and his army of mercenary players­ are a disgrace to the game. they
    should be banned for­ half a season, for them to learn a lesson.

    BEL pa zed

    From Brian, on Tue 26 May 4:24PM

  4. chelsick, abramovic and his army of mercenary players­ are a disgrace to the game. they
    should be banned for­ half a season, for them to learn a lesson.

    BEL pa zed

    From Brian, on Tue 26 May 4:24PM

  5. chelsick, abramovic and his army of mercenary players­ are a disgrace to the game. they
    should be banned for­ half a season, for them to learn a lesson.

    BEL pa zed

    From Brian, on Tue 26 May 4:23PM

  6. chelsick, abramovic and his army of mercenary players­ are a disgrace to the game. they
    should be banned for­ half a season, for them to learn a lesson.

    BEL pa zed

    From Brian, on Tue 26 May 4:23PM

  7. How did Ballack escape?

    From Second S, on Tue 26 May 8:08AM

  8. Football bodies (FIFA, UEFA...) should now think­ seriously about adopting the third eye refereeing that­ is being used quite successfully both in Rugby and­ Crickett. It is shameful to see a game like the Chelsea­ - Barcelona end in controversy and bring football such­ a shameful reputation, not just from the behaviour of­ the players but the inadequacy of the referee. Why is a­ rough & tough game like Rugby played in such a­ gentlemanly manner while a gentlemen game like football­ is still a hooligans' game?

    From Chah, on Mon 25 May 10:55PM

  9. chelsea should be banned from european football for 5­ years by ueaf . and the f a should take points from­ them next season

    From RAY, on Mon 25 May 3:47PM

  10. Even though, the referee made some bad officiating, the­ first 60 minutes of play was on Chelsea's favour,­ but when he decided to make it 50-50, the Sickler­ Billionairas players and fans showed their ill-manner­ character by pouncing on the Ref and throwing missiles.­ whether Ballack is added or included, the thing is­ Chelsea should be punished. and of course there must be­ a scape-goat. But wait a minute, FIFA and UEFA are­ RACISTS, because the offense and grieviances started­ from Ballack, he should be penalized too.

    From dano, on Mon 25 May 3:21PM

  11. thats good news that twats should of been charger­ earler... and when the season stars agin they should­ get a match ban!!

    From littlegunner4life, on Mon 25 May 1:57PM

  12. will its a game but fifa should try and see what can be­ done to make referees do the right thing and shoulod­ also be charged if taking wrong decission. The deed has­ been done, let look for way forward.

    vicky

    From vickyjoo, on Mon 25 May 12:12PM

  13. we saw ballack who ran behind referee but he is not­ charged.wHY.Bcause he is not black.
    we understand that­ UEFA practise the racism too.however blacks players­ would do in the game as football has not accepted.i­ think that the goal of uefa and fifa is to fight­ against the­ racism.nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­ racismmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm UEFAAAAAAAAAAAA ballack would­ have chargeddddddddddddddddddd.

    From Rolange, on Mon 25 May 11:48AM

  14. it's very easy

    From shayann, on Mon 25 May 11:08AM

  15. We all saw Ballack charge after the referee. Why was he­ not charged with misconduct? Because he is not black?­ UEFA should avoid being charged with racism. It will­ make all the work they are doing against racism in­ football seem hypocritical.

    From Kaybee, on Mon 25 May 10:59AM

  16. deevique, how about sanctioning howard webb for the­ penalty against spurs that changed that game?

    From bosun_dele, on Mon 25 May 4:11AM

  17. The offiiciating was really poor, but Drogba's­ behaviuor was a bad advertisement for football. Why was­ Ballack let off the hook by the way? His behaviour was­ also shameful. UEFA should also sanction Tom Henning­ Ovrebo(?)and his assistants for the shameful­ officiating.

    From Nwabueze, on Sun 24 May 9:09PM

  18. bigbrother09447
    Look at the posts and see if was asked­ or not... nice to see being an @#$% is a particularly­ British characteristic...

    From DaGringo, on Sun 24 May 8:53PM

  19. Yeap,Bad Officiating.I would love to see Barca played­ with 11 and scored 2-3 goals rather than seeing them­ play with 10 men and watching Chelsea players n fans­ scream for penalties .... acts of desperation.lol

    From A A, on Sun 24 May 7:11PM

  20. If I am to handle this case, the duo deserve an apology­ from uefa while d refree gets suspended for that poor­ officiating.
    Don't get me wrong, I am a Man United­ fan always

    From deevique, on Sun 24 May 5:57PM
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