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Didier Drogba is facing punishment from UEFA
Ben Hunt07.05.09
UEFA has it will take action against Didier Drogba over his astonishing confrontation with Tom Henning Ovrebo if the referee makes an official complaint about the Chelsea striker in his report.
Drogba could be hit with a ban for the start of next season's Champions League following his post-match outburst at the Norwegian official.
Drogba launched into a foul-mouth rant and is alleged to have continued his protests in the tunnel after the match.
UEFA could also take action against Chelsea for failing to control their players and midfielder Michael Ballack, who was so incensed by one decision that he ran 40 yards alongside the referee to protest and was eventually yellow-carded.
A spokesman for the governing body said: “We have to wait for the referee's report, which can take up to 48 hours, before we make a decision.
“Drogba could be banned for a number of matches, we don't know how many. It would be decided by a controlling body, if they decide to open the decision.
“We get the report and maybe look at video evidence and then they can take actions against specific players.”
Chelsea captain John Terry defended Drogba's reaction and 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.”
In 2005, Drogba was involved in a refereeing controversy against the same side in the Champions League, which led to official Anders Frisk quitting the game. He was sent off for an innocuous-looking challenge on goalkeeper Victor Valdes and Chelsea went on to lose the first leg of the last-16 tie 2-1.
The decision infuriated then Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who claimed Frisk favoured Barcelona. As a result, Frisk and his family received death threats.
Drogba was also dismissed in last year's Champions League Final with Manchester United for slapping Nemanja Vidic.
Reader views (5)
Interesting contrast between the conduct of the Chelsea players and the dignity and self control demonstrated by Darren Fletcher the night before when he was rather harshly sent off.
Over the two Chelsea v Barcelona games there were a few possible penalty decisions and for me the most clear cut one wasn't awarded to Barcelona in the first leg - the Chelsea players seem to have conveniently forgotten that one.
- I Am The Sid, Reading
Why are footballers supposed all of a sudden to be robots and devoid of emotion? These people who slate Drogba and co. for their incensed reaction, how would they react if someone stole their place in a cinema queue when they were out with their partner and subsequently they missed the film. Angry right? Or cut them up while driving to steal the last parking space for a swanky restaurant, that's the stuff road rage is made of. Now imagine something that you have been working years for, that you proved you are amply qualified for, all hoops necessary have been jumped through, you've got your hand on that brass ring/promotion whatever only to have the dream snatched away by the numerous mistakes of an under-qualified employee and to KNOW that this chance may never come your way again! Nah you're right, I would be the picture of cool reserve. It wouldn't bother me in the slightest, I wouldn't go to the person responsible and give him a piece of my mind. I'd walk up to him, shake his hand and say "Well done! Thank you for ruining my life!" Yeah right!
- Stephen Okoro, London, England
As a neutral, I enjoyed the match but not the histrionics of the Chelsea players. They need to learn to behave with more dignity.
- Ms, South Africa, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
It's funny.
- Wellington Muza, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
Says it all really...the captain of England defending the actions of a thug who thought by throwing his weight around (amazingly he stayed on his feet this time) when he didn't get his own way!
Shows the state of english football and the country! also that footballers think they are above the laws of the land because they are treated like god by the clubs who pay their stupidly high wages!!!!
- Jh, London
