Jose Bosingwa labels referee a 'thief'

Ten-man Barcelona knocked out the Blues on away goals as Andres Iniesta's 93rd-minute equaliser cancelled out Michael Essien's magnificent first-half volley.

But although Ovrebo sent off Eric Abidal for a professional foul on Nicolas Anelka, the Norwegian official appeared to deny Guus Hiddink's side four clear penalties prompting ugly scenes at the final whistle.

Didier Drogba, who had been substituted, was booked after the match for a foul-mouthed tirade as several Chelsea players argued with the referee while the teams headed down the tunnel.

Pictures: Chelsea players confront the ref

And full-back Bosingwa told Portuguese TV station RTP: "I do not know if he is a referee or a thief. There are no words to describe the person that was on the pitch here.

"We are all sad, but we have to raise our heads high again. There is nothing to say about Barcelona's goal, but there were penalties that were not awarded.

"The way he refereed the match was not the most correct one. He should never referee again."

Chelsea are almost certain to face a UEFA probe over their conduct but John Terry defended Drogba's reaction and also condemned Ovrebo's display.

Challenges involving Drogba and two handball claims could have resulted in spot-kicks and captain Terry said: "I am 100 per cent fully behind Didier for the way he reacted. The man wants to win. You could see the passion he played with in the game and the passion he played with afterwards. The referee makes bad decisions, he should face the consequences. He should be the one coming out here and speaking to you and going through what was and what wasn't, why he gave something, why he didn't give something.

"Over two legs they played well but the fact is that, in this game, we had six or seven penalty claims waved away and that is astonishing.

Anywhere else in the world that would not happen.

You can see he might not have given the first one, but come the second where Nicolas Anelka puts it round Pique and he slams it down with his hand?

"I didn't see the referee afterwards. He had our stewards supporting him which is funny. When you get to these stages, it is down to UEFA to be strong enough to say right, these are our four best referees. They are going to referee the home legs and the away legs'.

"You need experienced referees and you have experienced players in these ties. That's what we both had in this tie but we didn't have the referee to go with it. Players come into these games hoping and praying they don't make mistakes. Referees come away and he makes mistakes and he knows next time he is going to be given another game."

Ovrebo has taken charge of 21 Champions League games - although this was his first semi-final - and also officiated in two group matches at Euro 2008.

Terry's fury also extended to Sky's condemnation of Chelsea's furious reaction, where pundits Jamie Redknapp, Ruud Gullitt and Graeme Souness suggested the players should have reacted with more discretion.

He said: "It's difficult when players are so high on emotion after the game and people are saying in the Sky studio that players shouldn't be reacting the way we did. That's impossible after having six or seven decisions go against you at home in front of 40,000 of your own fans and for the ref to not give one of them."

Pictures: Chelsea players confront the ref