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Tough Euro ban leaves Chelsea considering Didier Drogba appeal
Ben Hunt18.06.09
Chelsea are discussing a possible appeal against a six-match ban given to Didier Drogba for his antics following the club's Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona.
The striker was given a surprisingly severe ban, although the last two matches will be suspended for two years, for his outburst towards referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.
Drogba has maintained he would accept any punishment handed out to him by UEFA, promising before the decision to do his suspension and come back stronger, but Chelsea may take the view that the punishment does not fit the crime.
Officials are expected to talk with the Ivory Coast international before making a decision on launching an appeal within the 72-hour deadline of UEFA's decision.
Defender Jose Bosingwa was also punished with a four-game ban, with one suspended for two years, after he labelled Norwegian Ovrebo — who turned down four penalty appeals — as a “thief”, a statement he later retracted.
On top of the bans, the club have also been hit with an £85,000 fine for improper conduct of their players and for the behaviour of their supporters, who threw missiles onto the Stamford Bridge pitch. The severity of the suspensions was largely unprecedented and Chelsea are now considering their response.
A club spokesman said: “I am not sure if there has been any contact with the players yet and we are still considering our response."
Reader views (8)
Punish Drogba and Bosingwa by all means - not acceptable behaviour by any standards but it seems rather rich that Ovrebo gets off scott free for an absolutely abysmal performance. Has he been censured by UEFA for his gross incompetence? All very well to talk about the players repecting the referee but the reverse side of this coin is that the players are entitled to have a competent professional officiating their game. UEFA has not coeverd itselfin glory on this. I hope Chelsea does appeal and ask UEFA to address simultaneously some censure for Ovrebo.
- Arabella, Clapton, Glos
What length of ban will someone in UEFA receive for their part in choosing a referee who was not up to the job or will it be Mr NOT MY FAULT?
- Stewart, Camberley Surrey England
uefa being weak bellied again.Drogba showed a great example of how too behave,all inspiring for youngsters...he should have had at least 10 game ban and Ballack should have been punished also..Yes the ref was awful and made some poor decisions but there was no excude for a so called professional player ..even Drogba to act like this.i for one would not miss this guy one bit if he left the prem,at times his action s and pathetic antics have been embarassing for a guy who is over 6 feet and called a powerhouse of a striker..50% of the time he plays like a total wuss.
- Phil, ricks
The real question of punishment surely should be what happens the awful, incompetent ref who ruined the game and this year's whole Champions League - and was the cause of these players' anger.
Let's not forget the root cause of the anger. UEFA have to expect some blaming of the referee, when the referee is to blame!
- Simon, London, N5
It's a shame UEFA are not so strict on racism.
- Ted, London
I think Drogba and Chelsea got off very lightly.
They were a disgrace on the night and set a bad example to the millions of youngsters watching.
A four match ban is a pathetic ban.
- Mr S.Port, London
I don't think it was tough. Everybody knows that the players attitude to the officials is appalling. It is about time the authorities did something about it. Also fining the club is a waste of time. They should have been banned from the Champions League for a year.
- Mick, London, England
Has the ref been banned too ?
- Daz, sweden
