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Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa hit by UEFA charges
Simon Johnson and Andrew Fifield22 May 2009
Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa have been charged by UEFA over their behaviour at the end of the Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona.
The club were also charged by Europe's governing body for failing to control their players and the throwing of missiles by supporters at Stamford Bridge.
UEFA have taken three weeks to analyse the evidence surrounding the events that centred on on the performance of referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.
The official ignored four penalty appeals as Chelsea crashed out on away goals, sparking shocking protest scenes at the end of the game.
Although Drogba and Bosingwa have been charged, Ballack and Terry will escape punishment for their part in the controversy.
Drogba is facing a lengthy ban for his part in the affair after he remonstrated with Ovrebo on the pitch and then shouted obscenities into a television camera.
Bosingwa is in hot water after branding Ovrebo a “thief” during a post-match television interview.
A UEFA spokesman said: “UEFA confirms charges against Chelsea. 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 Joseph Bosingwa for being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments. Chelsea FC and the players concerned are requested to file their statement by Friday 29 May 2009. The UEFA Control & Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on 17 June 2009.”
Earlier, Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink today urged UEFA not to punish the club too severely.
The Dutchman hoped that the swift apologies issued by several players — including Drogba and Bosingwa — should be taken into account by UEFA's disciplinary committee.
He said: “I have said that the players have made their apology and we need to consider that and I hope UEFA does the same when it comes to their decision.
“But, if we are charged, it would not be a regret in terms of my time here at the club.
“I regret nothing about what has happened.”
Hiddink also confirmed he would play a strong side against relegation-threatened Sunderland on Sunday, regardless of Chelsea's involvement in the FA Cup Final against Everton six days later.
The Sunderland match at the Stadium of Light is Hiddink's final league game in charge. Ricky Sbragia's team need a win to guarantee their survival in the Premier League next season.
Reader views (18)
The book must be thrown at Chelsea an indefinite European ban should be put in place. Terry should be banned from playing for England due to his behaviour.
It looks like chelsea are going to win nothing again anyway.
- Brendan Ryan, Loftus Road, London, 24/05/2009 02:49
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Attitude and "FAIR PLAY" have gone right out of the window in all walks of life?.
From our Parliament, to Soccer, and to Rugby people think they can do what the hell they like and above all GET AWAY WITH IT.
The scenes on T.V. at matches and after the match are picked up by youngsters and they think the game of football and rugby should be like this.
It's a disgrace to any team who ever you are to have this behavior in the team and the F.A. and rules must be upheld it's gone on for to long and must stop now .
The paying of fines is to soft.. these guys are rich and can afford to pay them.. take away there right to play for a season and you will find attitudes will change fast, WHY?, because they wany to play the game, get it ,got it, good.
- John L., Scarborough North Yorkshire, U.K., 23/05/2009 11:26
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Chelsea should be made to qualify for the group stages next season and as for Drogba and Basingwa.
Banning them for a year from the Champions League will send the right message. Chelsea have got away with this type of behaviour on too many occasions,they will have deserved every fine ban and penalty they get.
And no, i am not a man u or Barca supporter i just love good sporting football.
- Mr S.Port, London, 23/05/2009 11:06
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If Chelsea are fined,O.K.but how many times have we seen the cheat ronaldo diving all around the penalty area and rooney swearing at the ref.That of course is acceptable.
- John, benidorm,spain, 23/05/2009 06:52
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Four penalty appeals in a match is normal for Drogba
- Hatchet, Newcastle, australia, 22/05/2009 22:49
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no doubhts about the big macht dipit all what happen at the picht , i think a fellow player do not have the right to insult the refere. coz at the first place the football body FIFA is not not dual to say let there be this person who take incharge of any action in the picht. and NB is not all the incident that happen in the field that the refere see,s it
- Kum4wum { Kum Annacletus}, limbe cameroon, 22/05/2009 21:30
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Chelsea didn't defend properly for the Barca goal and also they missed numerous opportunities when the game was stretched in the last 20 mins - ultimately they are reasons why they're not in the final.
- Mark, Essex, 22/05/2009 16:50
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is this really any surprise ?
most people are of the opinion that the CL is fixed,it's about as credible as WWF.
When the UEFA website puts up the correct scoreline, number of bookings and states 'a late barcelona equaliser' 24 HOURS BEFORE THE GAME, what do you expect
If my memory serves me right Barca crowded the ref when Abidal was sent off - surely there's a charge of 'unpsorting behaviour'
AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE REFEREE WHO HAS BEEN OFFERED UP AS A SACRIFICE TO THE GOD OF TV, SO UEFA CAN CASHIN ON THE 'DREAM FINAL'
- Simon Bucknell, enfield, 22/05/2009 16:10
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At last, Lets hope they throw these Chelsea Thugs out of Europe for a while to teach them a lesson. They have been getting away with intimidating the refs for far too long. Ok The Ref in question was very poor indeed,but does that give the Chelsea players the right to chase the ref, get right in his face, push him around, swear at him call him a cheat and a liar and for good measure swear into the TV cameras with no regard for the young kids who may have been watching the game.
We can only hope Eufa make an example of Chelsea, a team who disgraced themselves the Champions league and the game as a whole.
- James Hennessy, london england, 22/05/2009 15:30
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They give Clubs about a £50 fine for racist behaviour of their fans, managers and players. By UEFA's standards Chelsea should be made to pay at least a fiver.
- Ted, London, 22/05/2009 15:11
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It has taken UEFA 2 weeks to come up with this and no doubt there were countless issues hotly debated within their ranks but what every soccer fan would really like to see is a full transcript of all internal memos, minutes, etc 2 weeks prior to the match to see if there were any doubts concerning the appointment of a second tier referee. Now that would be really interesting to see! I have a hunch that certain persons in football did not want to see an all-British final. The FA have a responsibility to ask despite Drogba's uncontrollable and shocking antics.
- Richard Hoblyn Fsi, Limoges FRANCE, 22/05/2009 13:44
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who cares ?? at least the two teams in the final are 2 quality footballing sides who dont bore the pants off people..i for one will be well glad when that big pants Drogba clears off,the prem will be better off without him..what a wus!! and dont forget to take your dummy drog
- Maso, m70jos@hotmail.co.uk, 22/05/2009 13:35
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Totally agree Kypros and Francis
- Fairseat, england, 22/05/2009 13:06
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Finally!
- Kb, London, 22/05/2009 12:33
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How about fining Barca players for non-sporting behavior? It is a shame for the neutrals (like me) when we no longer want to watch the final because we know the result will be referring lottery.
As or Chelsea, it is difficult to control your emotions in such a circumstances, fine the club (don’t pick on any individuals) and get on with reforming the referring. Looking at Rugby again (see Stone’s comments) video umpiring works well…
- Francis, Farnborough, England, 22/05/2009 12:08
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If the Chelsea players had shown restrain in the face of unreasonable injustice they would have made many, many friends both in England and the rest of the world. UEFA would have been embarrassed and Barcelonas place in the final considered unjust. Their behaviour played into everyones hands but their own.
- John Entwistle, Hertford, 22/05/2009 11:49
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Kypros - what a moronic statement. Of course Chelsea should be punished and Drogba should be banned for a year. It is a complete and utter disgrace the way players treat the referee in football - look at the difference in treatment in rugby!!
- Stone, Vauxhall, Astra, 22/05/2009 11:28
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WHO is going to throw the book at UEFA for their inability to correctly referee a CL semi-final 2nd leg? Chelsea were cheated out of their rightful place in the final so UEFA should just shut up and look at their own short comings.
- Kypros Shacolas, Nicosia, Cyprus, 22/05/2009 09:48
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