• Gallery: Chelsea players rant at the referee
• Frank Lampard: This feels like a kick in the teeth
• Jose Bosingwa labels referee a 'thief'

Reader views (146)

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Why do we not use TV replay technology with a fourth official in the crowd advising the referee for top level matches, just as with Rugby?

Apparently this idea has been resisted by people in FIFA such as Sepp Blatter...however he has apparently been keen to adopt the latest technology in his headquarters in Switzerland.. there is now fingerprint technology to call the elevators, and when his prints are used, the system overides all requests and sends the elevators to him...

- Al, Berlin Germany, 11/05/2009 12:07
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Drogba and Ballack behaved irrespectfully and their contracts should not be renewed.
The referee is a digrace to the game and should not be allowed to referee again.
UEFA should come out and apologise for appointing such a
referee when they new he made serious mistakes in the past.
The whole case would then be allowed to be forgotten.

- Michael Tsielepis, London, England, 11/05/2009 11:10
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What is it about football that arouses such hatred? I remember years ago I refereed a school football match of no particular consequence, and the amount of abuse I received from players and some spectators was horrifying. When I trotted out the usual line afterwards: "it's only a game" I was treated with contempt. The fact is that it is/was just a game of football.

- Mark, Venice, 10/05/2009 21:41
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I do not like Chelsea and I cheered for Barcelona but the refree was unfair. The way Drogba protested wasn't right but what he said is true. The refree IS a disgrace to the game. Whether he did it on purpose or by mistake is irrelevant. If he couldn't see all the fouls and hand balls inside the box, he still doesn't deserve to be a refree at this level of competition. Although I have a feeling that the refree made his decisions on purpose... not because he wanted Barcelona to win but to make the game interesting. But it is not a refree's role to manipulate the game. I do not believe he should be killed or abused but he definitely shouldn't be allowed to refree at this level anymore.

- Brian Choi, Michigan, US, 08/05/2009 21:45
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I am as big a fan of Chelsea as anyone, but Ballack and Drogba were totally out of order. You do not have to behave as badly as they did to care about the result. In fact I would argue that getting so upset is totlly self defeating. Chelsea need the discipline that Clough brought to his teams. Cut out the bad behaviour and concentrate on the quality of their own performances. Follow the examples of other sports like tennis and golf, yes I know they are totally different sports with their own dynamics, but use the examples of mental discipline and discipline over behaviour. Drogba and Ballack should now both leave Chelsea

- David, edinburgh,uk, 08/05/2009 12:14
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If one bother to look at the penalty reg for hand ball one would see that Øvrebø actually did a good job.

Reg reads: penalty if a player intentionally touches or plays the ball with his hand or arm.

One indicent was debatable but not at all clear. Hence, that incident was within the discression of the referee.
The last incident was clearly not a penalty.

The behaviour of Drogba, Ballack, Hiddink, fans and other were utterly disgusting. A shame for fotball. Players and managers behaveing like this may trigger a riot by the fans with devestating consequenses. Does not Chelsea have any focus on behavior at all? Another consequense is that journalist are no surrounding the house of Øvrebø, including at least one stupid UK journalist who means that it's in the best interest of Øvrebø to come forward and speak. Go home and stop inflame this stupid situation.

If Drogba and Ballck do not have something between their ears they should sit down with Ole Gunnar Solskjær and learn how to behave on a pitc. May be too much to demand from such players. Chelsea should at least be banned from CL next year.

- R Solberg, Oslo Viking, 08/05/2009 10:05
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It's only a game, get over it.

- Essexkid, essex, 08/05/2009 07:18
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This just goes to show the quality of both the players and supporters of soccer. Totally pathetic and infantile.

This would never happen in Rugby Union.

- Charles, Perth, Australia, 08/05/2009 03:01
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Oh dear the poor chelsea supporters have thrown their toys. You people are idiots, you seriously want to hurt someone because your team lost a game? Get a grip on reality people. Your players are disgraceful and unsportsmanlike. They deserve to lose if they cannot lose with grace. I think their sense of entitlement is way over the top.
And posting threats is just cowardly - probably the same kind of people who only go into a fight if they have 10 mates behind them.
Chelsea - hope you get kicked out of competitions as a result and karma comes looking for you...

- William Bailey, wgtn, 07/05/2009 23:47
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I´m Norwegian and our referee did a bad job! I wanted Barcelona to win in the opening of the game. After many possibilities for Chelsea in front of the goal, stopped by our referee, did Chelsea loose a good game. Chelsea's game! The moral winner, even thou they should have behaved otherwise themselves.

- Per Johannes Sørfonden, Kristiansand, Norway, 07/05/2009 23:46
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Show the ref some respect. I still cannot believe in this day and age they allow overpaid footballers to shout and scream and cry in the face of the ref. Grow up and learn some manners.

- Fraser, Tauranga, New Zealand, 07/05/2009 23:42
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The only way to regain and keep control of situations like this is to reprimand/ban the offending players (yellow/red card, even after the game. Then the fans will start to understand that good sportsmanship is the much preferred display...win or lose.

- Ernest N. Hart Iii, Austin, Texas, USA, 07/05/2009 23:01
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I thought that chelsea were overly conservative and appeared more frightened of losing than desiring to win. Barcelona had nothing to lose so they tried to score goals.
Drogba is a disaster waiting to happen.

Bans for Chelsea? Yes - at least five years.
Bans for Drogba at leat two years from ANY football.
Terry for captain of England? you must be joking - stick him where he belongs - in a nightclub.

Who is Noone?

- Pacifus, Newcastle Australia, 07/05/2009 22:59
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In two Champions League games during this week, we have witnessed 2 referees underperform and cause damage to English Teams and their players, through the referees bad judgement. Is it not now time to:

1. Immediately introduce video evidence and make it's content immediately available to the match referee, via radio link, such as they do in Cricket and Rugby.

2. Immediately change Champions League rules to allow wrong decisions to be challenged and over-turned, even after the game is finished.

To refute the above is to live in the past - perpetuating amaturish referee performances in a professional game and a belief that bad decisions even themselves out - they don't! The adverse impact on players who train hard at great expense to their clubs, is unacceptable in the modern game.

Fans, clubs and players deserve better than that.

- Richard, London, UK, 07/05/2009 22:57
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I don't really watch football, as there is too much cheating, diving etc. From the little that I have seen, some if not all of the players have cheated in some way. What is wrong with 'playing the game?' The card system doesn't go far enough. All players should be licenced. As and when they do something to bring the game into disrepute, they should lose points. If they lose a certain amount of points, they lose their right to play football anywhere in the world. If they lose points, they could be returned after a certain amount of matches without infringement of any rules. If they get to the stage where they are not allowed to play anymore, the game is better off without them. If Clubs ran the risk of losing big money through the loss of a licenced player, it might make them think twice about how much support they give to cheats.

- Paul Bradford, Monflanquin, France, 07/05/2009 21:23
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Now you know how Spaniards felt along sports history.That kind of things happenned to us millions of times and several against English teams.I am sorry for you guys but CFC should have played better.

- Mikeluss, Spain, 07/05/2009 18:31
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Congrat's to 'This is London' for posting so many of these views.
OK the ref was lousy but the Chelsea players were out of order, the real problem for Chelsea was that they couldn't clinch the deal, they didn't play well enough. As a result of their players behaviour particularly Drogba, (who seems to have difficulty standing up on a football pitch) they may be banned from next years competition.
On a more positive point for UK football - current form prevailing, United will murder Barcelona!

- William Ear, Waltham Cross, 07/05/2009 18:02
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I really dont't care about Chelsea or the Norwegian ref. All I care about is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 80 goals this season! We are Premier League!

- Norwegian Wolf, Oslo, Norway, 07/05/2009 18:00
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Poor little rich boys upset by a naughty ref.Isn't it a shame? Drogba missed a sitter, Chelsea were generally outplayed in both matches and were terrified of trying to take the game to the opposition. They got an opponent sent off for nothing and then behave like yobs. Terry for Captain of England?
lampard was wonderful. A real credit to the club and country. The ref was rubbish to the point that he should be investigated. the handball was so clear that surely something is amiss. Meanwhile lets salivate at the prospect of the two best teams in the world slugging it out in the final. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

- Graham, England, 07/05/2009 17:36
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Best idea is for UEFA to ban Chelsea from all matches outside England for three years and personal bans for Drogba, Ballack, Terry and Bosingwa of five years. Then Chelsea (and other clubs) would get the message that bad behavior will no longer be tollerated.

- Peter C-H, London, UK, 07/05/2009 17:33
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The best team won. Viva Barcelona.

T H Leeds

- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK, 07/05/2009 17:26
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People go on about rugby, and I agree on 2 fronts, first it is important to respect the referee and because referees DO make mistakes video technology should be adopted, with that in place Chelsea would have had at least 2 penalties if not more! I think everyone would agree that last night's ref was in water way over his head, shame on UEFA!

- Westl, Putney England, 07/05/2009 17:25
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If Liverpool or Manchester United had lost a Champion's League match as poorly refereed as the Chelsea Barcelona game and protested as vigorously I should imagine the whole of England would have been complaining about the result.

The fact is that whenever Chelsea play in Europe they start each match against eighteen:- the opposing team, the referee and his assistants,a retired referee the FA and FIFA. (this excludes a large part of the hostile press). There is a lot of talk about the money spent at Chelsea, but, without that, a lot of other clubs would be a lot poorer. Mr Abramovich has invested a lot of his own money in the club, not highly geared loans like ManU and Liverpool. Despite all this, there seems to be a universal wish that CFC did not even exist.

Millwall fans say, "No-one likes us and we don't care". This should be paraphrased "No one likes Chelsea because they are trying to be honestly successful and we do care"

- Ian, Cranbrook, Kent, 07/05/2009 17:21
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I didn't see the game, so I can't say how good or bad a job the ref did - but I can see that Chelsea and some of its fans have done a really good job of making the club look bad (an understatement). There's a right way and a wrong way to complain - a 50/50 choice, and they got it wrong!

I wouldn't be overly surprised if there are going to be repercussions with the European football authorities. The bad behaviour cannot be blamed on the ref. His actions are a different issue, needing different review, from the loud and aggressively intimidatory behaviour of the players.

- Rogan, Irving, 07/05/2009 17:16
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Just confirms what I always thought ... football is a gentlemans' game - played by hooligans !

- Kathy Doyle, london, 07/05/2009 17:08
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I think you all don´t know how to loose!! noone remember the first go??? This is how football is and barca deserves to be at the final! Noone is conspirating against English football...Why you allways feel so special??? Barca its much better than that.

Maite B. Spain

- Maite, málaga Spain, 07/05/2009 17:08
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The only disgrace in this match was Drogba's behaviour. The fact is that Chelsea lost the place in the CL-final to a outnumbered Barcelona. I understand why they need to find a scapegoat.

- Tom, Oslo, Norway, 07/05/2009 16:47
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Dont blame the referee!!!!!
Is very sad to see the attitude of the chelsea players
but the only team who wanted to play and win was FC Barcelona. During both matches Chelsea play with fire and in the finaly they got burn, you should convince your players to go and win the game not to wait and see what happens.
The referee is human and he can make mistakes but the only clear penalty was the handball of Pique, so dont cry to much.
Cheers

- Juan, Barcelona, Spain, 07/05/2009 16:46
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It's not the ref that's embarassing Norway, it's you supporting a team that isn't from your country that's embarrassing....

- To Norweigans, UK, 07/05/2009 16:45
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Chelsea is the sorriest bunch of losers I've ever seen.
If they had scored one more goal, they would have won. -They didn't, and lost. There is nothing more to it.
Assaulting the ref won't change that. There need to be intent involved in order for the ref to give penalty. I could not see any intentions to touch the ball with hand by Barcelona players. All incidents were unintentional.

- Trygve Arntzen, Oslo, Norway, 07/05/2009 16:27
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It is only a game, you are right, and to be honest, I don't think anyone would be going on about it quite so much if it hadn't been bought into disrepute by some players who behaved absolutely disgracefully. Chelsea Football club should get a hefty fine for not being able to control their players or fans. Drogba, Ballack and Terry should also get individual fines and bans accordingly.

In big, big games, UEFA have to use ref’s who are experienced and can handle the pressure, they made a mistake with their desicion to use Ovrebo and it is something they will need to learn from and hopefull, going forward they will pick more wisely. It’s frustrating when refs make wrong decisions, but it is disgraceful and unforgivable for players to behave like that…even more so when you are in the public eye...which is why I agree that Terry should lose his England captain badge...he is not worthy of that responsibility..I think we can all understand their frustration, but somethings are best left for the dressing room.

- Kh, London, 07/05/2009 16:26
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Miss Anon, I agree with you but I do think the match was a fix. There were too many plain wrong decisions for a top referee to make, it was gifted to Barca.

And your comment that footballers making more than the prime minister is wrong. It is, you're right, the actual truth is that some of the players earn more in a week than the prime minister earns in a year. The players generate money for their clubs and if the market values them at £150k per week then that's what they're worth. It might not be right but its simple economics.

I just hope Man Utd win the Champions League for the second time in succession, although who know's what Platini has in store for the final. Pep Guardiola to referee?

- James, London, Maida Vale, 07/05/2009 16:24
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Chelsea is the sorriest bunch of losers I've ever seen.
If they had scored one more goal, they would have won. -They didn't, and lost. There is nothing more to it.
Assaulting the ref won't change that. There need to be intent involved in order for the ref to give penalty. I could not see any intentions to touch the ball with hand by Barcelona players. All incidents were unintentional.

- Trygve Arntzen, Oslo, Norway, 07/05/2009 16:21
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Chelsea is the sorriest bunch of losers I've ever seen.
If they had scored one more goal, they would have won. -They didn't, and lost. There is nothing more to it.
Assaulting the ref won't change that. There need to be intent involved in order for the ref to give penalty. I could not see any intentions to touch the ball with hand by Barcelona players. All incidents were unintentional.

- Trygve Arntzen, Oslo, Norway, 07/05/2009 16:19
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The antics of drogba all evening falling down at every moment are the real disgrace

in this sorry affair some of the chelsea players let themselves down very badly

chelsea football club need to learn lose with grace

peter portugal

- Peter Wrench, ALCOCHETE PORTUGAL, 07/05/2009 16:14
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Its Drogba's fault...
Drogba is always diving and pretending to be hurt IF he just got up and got on with it the physio would not be on and therfore there would not have been four mins of extra time and Barca could not have scored!
I rest my case (self inflicted)

- Brian C, Newcastle, 07/05/2009 16:07
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I DID NOT SEE THE WHOLE MATCH, BUT READING ALL THE COMMENT AND NEWS, AND OTEHR PEOPLE OPNION, I THINK UEFA DID NOT WANT TO SEE ANOTHER ENGLISH CLUB AT THE FINAL, EITHER THE REF WAS BRIBE OR UEFA ARE NOT HAPPY THAT THE ENGLISH CLUBS ARE DOING WELL. LISTEN ALL ENGLISH FANS,UEFA AND FIFA ARE NOT HAPPY THAT THE ENGLISH CLUBS ARE DOMINAT THE FOOTBALL, SO WHATEVER WE DO THIS TWO SPORTS BODY WILL NEVER LIKE US.

BY THE WAY I AM ALSERNAL FANS, BUT I SPEAK FOR ALL ENGLISH CLUBS. THIS IS MY COMMENT, I HOPE WE ALL LET ITS GO AND LOOK FOR THE FINAL, AM PRAYING THAT RONALDO WILL NOT DIVE A HE DID IN ARSENAL MATCH.

- Ericson, essex, 07/05/2009 15:54
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It's about time players that are offensive to referees or abusive on the pitch got grounded for the next game or two. It is NOT RIGHT IT IS TEACHING YOUNG children bad behaviour !!!!! They are over paid...I heard they earn more than our PM ! Surely that's not right...no matter if they may do a better job at the moment. We need young people to grow up and achieve a good living NOT expect to big arrogant over paid footballers with all the lifestyle that these young people all desire as it is thrown down their throats all the time...! This bad behaviour is at local football young leagues level too oh I wonder why?

- Miss Anon, London, London England, 07/05/2009 15:50
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All these comments is made by a bunch of chelsea-hating freaks who is mad because Didier Drogba gets freekicks.
They cant stand that another player than Ronaldo sometimes dive and get false freekicks.It was clearly at least two penaltys that the ref didnt judge. If it was one situation where the ref didnt judge a penalty its okay, but in 3-4 situations where at least two should be a penalty, its a disgrace to football. These kind of mistakes by a ref shouldnt be allowed at such a level of football!

- Oyvind A, Stavanger, Norway, 07/05/2009 15:46
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SHAME ON EVERYONE OF YOU HERE SAYING ALL THESE RUBBISH AGAINST CHELSEA!NO-ONE OF YOU FELT LIKE BEING KICKED OFF SOMETHING YOU FOUGHT FOR BECOUSE OF SOMEONE S ''STUPID'' FALSES!AND THE MOST RIDICULOUS YOU CAN SAY IS THAT CHELSEA PLAYERS ARE LOSERS.IF YOU CAN SAY THAT YOU DON T KNOW FOOTBALL!LIKE IT OR NOT CHELSEA IS ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE WORLD!AND EVERY YEAR THIS TEAM WILL BE BIGGER AND BIGGER!AND YOU SHOULD RESPECT THAT!THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY IS THAT BEFORE THINKING THAT CHELSEA WILL NOT HAVE THE CL MEDAL...........................THE TIME WILL SHOW US!

- Giwrgos, Greece, 07/05/2009 15:43
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Drogba is a lazy player, he had chances and missed them and he and the rest of the team threw their toys out of the pram.

- Anne, London, 07/05/2009 15:42
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Even if you gave Chelsea a Subbuteo set they'd be whining in five minutes that their fingers ached.

- Janet, London, UK, 07/05/2009 15:36
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Bad officiating is to blame for the high tensions yesterday. This was a champions league semi final game and a lot was on the plate. One can not ignore a handful of decisions that clearly could have given Chelsea the game, including the deliberate hand ball by Pique. However, saying this, and as a Chelsea fan; they only have themselves to blame by letting 10 men Barcelona score in the 93rd minute. This should not happen, ever, and this was a million to one scenario!

- Nack Nack Paddy Mac, kilburn, London UK, 07/05/2009 15:28
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After the game Lampard was interviewed saying people have to understand if grown men have 4 or 5 decisions go against them they should complain to the referee. No Frank look at rugby, players at well over 6 foot and up to 20 stone giving a poor small 10 stone referee COMPLETE RESPECT in every decision he makes regardless if good or bad.
What happened to the Respect campaign? Things are no better since this was introduced and our FA have to take responsibility for this as well. Copy rugby, only the captain can speak to the ref, in a polite manner. If we introduce this and anyone breaks this rule they get a 3 match ban, it would soon put a stop to it, but I'm afraid they are to scared to stand up to these people.

The really sad thing is if (IF) England won the World Cup those English players last night would end up with a MBE or similar, a rather sad enditment on our football, and probably a major factor in the state of our country.
Overpaid thugs being worshipped when they should be publicly flogged.

- Paul, London, 07/05/2009 15:24
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Oh the joy of rugby where the referee is still called Sir, and he's always right even when he's wrong.

- Bj, London, 07/05/2009 15:20
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i can see Chelsea in the 'Europa Cup' next season... if so, then theres still hope for Everton and Villa!!!

- Dan, london, uk, 07/05/2009 15:14
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Rather rich Drogba accusing anyone of cheating.

- Paul, London, 07/05/2009 15:13
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Nevermind, I'm sure their anger will get taken out against the gooners on sunday.

- Dom, London, 07/05/2009 15:10
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Shame, Drogba, fell over when we was tackled and the defender played the ball and he still moaned, got fouled very easily for a big guy...Blatant penalty when Pique handled the ball...Drogba, Karma my friend.. but he should of put away those chances you had, not good enough, Mr Attitude.....
All the superstars felt hard done by, but seems like Chelsea were upset they couldn't avenge their defeat v Man Utd last season (thank god) couldn't go through 90 minutes of no goals!

- Adrian, london, 07/05/2009 15:10
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Hiddink now remember the game against Spain in the quarter-finals of the World Cup of Korean

- Freddie, Stanford Bridge Chelsea, 07/05/2009 15:02
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2 things came from the game.
1: Chelsea lost it
2: The ref never had it

- Dom, London, 07/05/2009 15:00
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Abusive behaviour on and off the field by Chelsea players ! Death threats once again against the referee !!

A strong UEFA would and should ban Chelsea FC from European competition until they sort this unacceptable behaviour once and for all

- John Bloomfield, Twickenham, 07/05/2009 14:59
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The behaviour of some of the Chelsea players MUST be punished by UEFA.
And the FA should use that behaviour as an example for how NOT to behave showing it to all involved in football as part of a much needed campaign for better behaviour.
Since Mourinho took over Chelsea, every single game I've seen them in, Chelsea players have been arguing about any call against Chelsea - often standing inches from the referee screaming and yelling.
I'm a neutral spectator and paying to watch TV (who pays for the games and the players salaries). I just hate to watch Chelsea because of their behaviour - and I only see them, when they play the other topclubs. Neither Arsenal, Liverpool or ManU behaves like that. Some players do, but not so organized as in Chelsea. It seems like the players are told to put as much pressure on the referee as possible.

- Erik S., Copenhagen, Denmark, 07/05/2009 14:55
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Who are these plastic Chelsea fans writing from Norway and many other countries? Why don't they support teams in their own country? Mind your own business.

- Neil, London, UK, 07/05/2009 14:50
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Well it seems Mr Platinni will be happy on two fronts. First there will not be another all Premiership final. Second, he has many of the "fans talking points" of which he is so beloved as an excuse for not introducing video replays for key decisions.

- Kevin, London, England, 07/05/2009 14:45
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Polite question to all those angry Chelsea losers - Ever seen a football match played WITHOUT a referee?

- Ted, London, 07/05/2009 14:41
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People just don't know how to be good losers anymore- it's very sad.

Perhaps this cowardly shower of so called 'players' will realise they're not quite as good as they think they are. Do these people understand the word humility? Probably not. It's quite pathetic!

A sign of the sick and explosive times (created by labour) we are living through.

- Margy, London, 07/05/2009 14:41
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if you watch football on tv on a regular basis you will see players often screaming abuse in the face of the ref (wayne rooney is a repeat offender) - as for the idiots rattling on about the purists final, how can anyone seriously look forward to a game where the finalists have been 'picked' - bu UEFA
As they say 'its a Fit Up'

- Simon Bucknell, enfield, 07/05/2009 14:40
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If Barcelona hadn`t scored the goal on overtime, the refs performance would hardly have been an issue. The problem was the dissapointment over Chelsea not being able to outperform Barca playing 11 against 10. Drogbas holding, overplaying, easy falling was to simpel to discover and hence Drogba was not awarded any penalties for the situations. There were only two bad decisions last night. The Pique handball which the referee missed because he and his linesmen were unsighted. Secondly, the sending off, which should have awarded the victory to Chelsea. But when Chelsea isn`t good enough, it is a disgrace to attack the referee to compensate for their own poor performance. However if I was a Chelsea supporter, I would have been furios for not having been granted penalties as a reult of the theatrical acting by the Chelsea players.

- Kai Bugge, Stavanger Norway, 07/05/2009 14:40
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How would a penalty have secured Chelsea`s victory?
A penalty si no guarantee for a goal.

- Kjetil Andersland, Oslo, Norway, 07/05/2009 14:32
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The referee's performance was an absolute disgrace yet his masters at Uefa will be delighted that he denied Chelsea a deserved victory.

- C. Cooke, London, 07/05/2009 14:26
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Ah. The beautiful, gentlemanly game of soccer.

That is why I follow Rugby.

- Charles, Stanmore. London, 07/05/2009 14:24
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People should grow up. You win some. You loose some. You carry on. Perhaps Chelsea were unlucky in places however you make your own luck & Barcelona rode theirs just as I am sure other teams including Chelsea have rode thiers in previous games. Just becuase you don't like the referees decison doesn't give you the right to throw your toys out of the pram & go into a big sulk. If you focus on what's wrong or unfair you are bound to loose and that what happened to Chelsea last night. Chelsea should be given a national award for loosing becuase every winner knows that failure is essential to winning. Chelsea will learn from this experience and emerge stronger. Refs are only human & they do a difficult job. Their decisions should be respected and no ref or their family should be threatened simply for doing their job.

- Rupert, London, 07/05/2009 14:22
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has it ever occurred to you that they may actually care about the result beyond their salaries ? and what can only be described as breathtaking ineptitude at best.The Fletcher decision the night before ? the sending off of the Barcelona player ? the 3 clear penalties ? the ref made his intentions clear when the spineless puddle didnt give the foul by Alves on Malouda inside the area from the off...he shouldnt have given a foul at all...rather than completely bottle it and drag the decision outside the box some 4 ft...the precedent was set from there on in ...

- Nick, London, 07/05/2009 14:19
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shut up mark p, what on earth has rugby got to do with anything?

chelsea will feel as robbed and marks and spencers after a visit from mrs terry, but how could uefa have a grand scheme that included iniesta scoring such a great finish in the 93rd minute?

i think the ref was intimidated by barca's reaction after the first leg and so was reluctant to give anything against them, talk of a conspriacy is a load of rubbish.

- Neil, West London, 07/05/2009 14:17
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Mr. Ovrebo is as poor as this every match he appears in. He's actually worse. I hope he can retire as referee now, and stop humiliating Norway.

- Morten, Lillestrøm, Norway, 07/05/2009 14:14
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1 bad penalty decision, is difficult to accept! 2 bad penalty decisions infers incompetence! 3 bad penalty decisions would suggest anything other than bad refereeing decisions & bad luck!

- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London., 07/05/2009 14:11
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Calling the referee a disgrace is rich coming from a man like Didier Drogba.

- Danny Robertson, Newcastle Upon Tyne, 07/05/2009 14:08
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Graham Poll (what a reference!) suggests that referees should be shown respect. Am afraid, like for any one else, only if they deserve it, which clearly in the case of this Norwegian referee he did not. Incidentally, I don't think the guy could keep up with the match. Not fit enough for a top flight match but fit enough to take the cash and run, which I have no doubt he did.

- Fanfan La Tulipe, London, 07/05/2009 14:06
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I do not condone the threats to the ref at all, but it is quite obvious not just from this match but from his history he is not fit to be a ref. To miss one penalty decision although frustrating is acceptable, but to miss 3 or 4 that is down right disgusting, and Chelsea do have a genuine greivance, as do Barca for the sending off, but they did not go about it in the right way.
Perhaps when there have been so many mistakes/bad decisions by a ref in one match FIFA should, a) sack the ref and b) replay the match. I am not a Chelsea supporter, and I do not like Man Utd but I hope they win the cup (never ever thought i would be saying that)

- E Sullivan, London, 07/05/2009 14:05
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Match statistics show that Chelsea`s ball posession was only 30-35% and their passes hit rate only 65%. Even when playing 11 against 10, they would not attack. Stats show clearly that they lost because of their misplaced defensive strategy and boring play.
The behaviour of Chelsea players is a disgrace which is sparkling dangerous and threatening behaviour among their fans. Their repeated lack of self-control follows their previous moves against referee Frisk with death threats in 2005. When Chelsea officials in addition defend this kind of behaviour Chelsea should no doubt be banned from European play and stay at home until their players and fans can behave themselves.

- Jan M, Leeds, UK, 07/05/2009 14:05
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Nice to see Chelsea out of the game. A scummy club owned by a scumbag. Most ordinary Russians will be chuffed to see them out....

- Andrei, London, 07/05/2009 13:58
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I actually thought that only one penalty claim was real, the one where the Barcelona defender handled the ball. Drogba is always diving which was what he did for the first penalty claim. Malouda too. I must disclose that I do not like Chelsea purely because of their antics, same as Man Utd. If Chelsea had got through, the final would have been a shame between Drogba and Ronaldo diving, Ballack, Terry, Vidic and Anderson cheating. If the same situation had been reversed and Barcelona had lost the same way, none of this talk would be happening from Chelsea, so basically that proves that Chelsea are bad losers. The Chelsea players, coaches and manager were a disgrace and I hope severe punishment is forthcoming. Chelsea, bye bye.

- Barry C, UNITED STATES, 07/05/2009 13:54
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It takes class and style to win the games biggest competition. Something which Liverpool have in abundance. But Chelsea are sadly missing. Throw them out of next seasons competition I say. A disgrace to English football

- Michael, London, 07/05/2009 13:53
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We all know it wasn't the best refereeing we've seen, but the way the Chelsea reacted was a disgrace and has bought shame on the competition, it's the Champions leaque. Which they showed they are not worthy of being called. Drogba should be kicked out of football, Ballack a heavy fine and ban, and as for John Terry, stripped of the England captaincy PERMANAMTLY. UEFA can let this behaviour go unpunished. Perhaps they could be demoted to the Conference.
They are a shameless team who drop at the slightest touch to win a free kick in their favour, in other words they are cheats and got what they deserve.

I'm not a Man U fan, but I wish them all the best in the final.

- Malc, London,England, 07/05/2009 13:52
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Get a life everyone....ITS A GAME!!!!

- Jh, London, 07/05/2009 13:43
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I do not remember Chelsea fans asking for Drogba's and JT's heads last year after their mistakes cost them the Cup!!!!!

- S M, Ruislip, 07/05/2009 13:42
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Chelsea is, was and as it seems always will be a disgrace for the English game. If Drogba would have gotten his deserved yellow card for each dive to get a penalty, he would have ben send of long before he could squander hi 100% chances, where Chelsea acually lost the game. Ballack touched the ball 14 times during 90 minutes so I wonder why he bothers to put the blame on the ref for loosing.

- Dr. G, Bremen, Germany, 07/05/2009 13:38
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Didier "The Diver" Drogba can only blame himself. By looking like he's been hit by a grenade everytime an opponent bumps into him, he's made all referees think he's acting even in situations he's not.
The way many Chelsea players react after the final whistle is a disgrace. I understand their frustration; one descicion made by the ref was clearly wrong(the ball hitting Pique's hand), but all the other situations mentioned in the papers were not penalties. In fact, the ref should be credited for not favouring the home side as many tend to do. And by even mentioning 'conspiracy' the British press reaches a new low...
Congratulations Tom Henning Ovrebo, with a good performance !!!

- Erik Sjon, Sandnes, Norway, 07/05/2009 13:34
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I thought Chelsea should've won this, with or without the ref helping them. To be fair, the Piquet incident was probably a pen, but apart from that I thought the ref was fair. He allowed a tough game, and kept that line.
At the end of the day Chelsea should've been able to kill the match with a second goal when Barca got one player sent off. Instead they focused on defence, which was just utterly stupid. Clearly they should've continued their pressure. Then they would not be dependent on the ref in the end.

- Barry, London, 07/05/2009 13:33
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Chelsea players and fans have disgraced themselves and English football again with their abuse and threats to the referee as they did in the past with Anders Frisk. I was very surprised to hear Gus Hiddink endorse the action of his of his players and talk of conspiracy. I thought he had more dignity than Joes Mariniho but I was wrong. If the players concentrated their energies on scoring more goals instead of complaining and diving then refereeing mistakes would be academic. The referee even wrongly reduced the opposition to ten men for them.

- Mick, London, England, 07/05/2009 13:32
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The actions of the players were a disgrace. I found the flopping to be worse than the actions of the referee. Grow up over the summer break dirtbags.

- Tom, Winston-Salem, USA, 07/05/2009 13:29
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The ref was a disgrace to say the least. He shouldn't be allowed to manage a game in the Norwegian 3rd league, let alone a Champions League semi final. 4 legal penalty claims waved off and Abidal sent off for nothing. He was clearly out of his comfort zone and had no idea what he was doing.
The reactions of Drogba and Ballack, although understandable, were definitely not professional. They should have contained themselves.
Hopefully the referee will have the decency to apologize and consider retiring from top level refereeing.

- Gunni, Reykjavik, Iceland, 07/05/2009 13:29
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Knowing how to lose with dignity is not something the Chelsea low grades will ever know as it requires intelligence, stamina and class. Really looking forward to the final now, knowing that it is not all going to be spoiled by the unspeakables.

- Jilly, London, 07/05/2009 13:26
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I thought the referee had a great game.

Sporty from manchester.

- Mr S.Port, Manchester, 07/05/2009 13:21
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Can i just say that I'm glad chelsea lost? They represent all that is bad about football. Abramovich, a man who knows nothing about English football, (he was going to buy Tottenham for God's sake!!), thinks he can come over here, buy a club, pay over-inflated prices for some of the world's supposedly top players and then simply win everything! What a way to run a club!? And how much did they lose when they sold Wright-Phillips back to Man City!?

In some ways I wish Abramovich had've bought Tottenham, then chelsea would be playing in the First Division by now! (That's the old Third Division).

- Chris, Brighton, England, 07/05/2009 13:17
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Some of the reactions of the Chelsea players was a disgrace and they should be punished. Nothing can justify how they reacted. They may have a point regarding possible penalties but they have gained numerous free kicks and penalties through diving, cheating and theatrics in recent history.

The final will be better to watch without them.

- Bruce Chan, Hong Kong, 07/05/2009 13:14
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2 penalties it should have been. And Drogba and Ballack should have been to an institusjon or something . I have never seen anything like that and because of that, i do not feel sorry for Chelsea. What about death threats and police-escort ? Is this Chelsea ? So I hope Barcelona wins it.

- Helge, Haugesund Norway, 07/05/2009 13:09
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To Michael London, the defensive italians are four time and reigning world champs. You won it one in 1966, stealing it to the Germans so keep your mouth shut....

Chelsea should not blame the ref - I agree only clear penalty was Pique's handball......if drogba had all the after match energy employed in the 2 chances he's had in front of Barca's keeper away and at home which he badly missed we would be reading another story....

- Guido, london uk, 07/05/2009 13:06
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UEFA should picked an experienced referee in this crucial stage of the Champions League. I feel that Tom Henning Ovrebo could not handle the intensity of the game. He made many poor decisions. Oh well, FA cup is left for us to grab

- Joe, Singapore, 07/05/2009 13:06
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Pity that Ballack and Drogba could not as much effort into their game as they did into their senseless ravings.

- P Doff, paris france, 07/05/2009 13:05
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Couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of losers. Drogba, Ballack, Terry - a bunch of loudmouthed, diving, cheating thugs. Well Cheatski, what goes around, comes around. Drogba can spend the next CL season practicing rolling around in pain on his floor at home, and Old Man Ballack will never, ever get a CL medal - except a losers medal! There is a God after all!

- Doug, London, England, 07/05/2009 13:03
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Chelsea and in particular Drogba and Ballack need to be punished severly by EUFA for their actions after the game against Barcelona. The referee should have shown them the red card for what they were doing.
Ok chelsea could have had a penalty with the ball to hand in the box, but Barcelona had a man sent off incorrectly and played the second half with 10 men. Chelsea have pushed the boundaries of decent play with their play acting and hounding of referees and it seems that what they have got away with in the past has finally caught up with them.
At the end of the day the two best teams in europe will be contesting the Champions League final. Manchester United v Barcelona

- Mr.S.Port, London, 07/05/2009 13:01
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Such ugly scenes from "The Beautiful game." Mistakes happen.
Chelsea are a disgrace and footballers in general should be ashamed, though I doubt it.
What else can be expected from thugs who earn £100,000 a week.
Bring on rugby - less bad behaviour, no diving and the ref is respected.

- Mark P, London, 07/05/2009 12:59
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The referee did a great job. Chelsea FAILED to win, even after a barca player got the red card, and their own FAILURE made them irrational. They make millions of puonds, but they act like CHILDREN. Drogba is a disgrace, the chelsea fans a disgrace. Baracelona playeres are more gentlemen

- Chris, Oslo, 07/05/2009 12:57
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The over paid spoilt brats.I only hope strong action is taken against Chelsea before someone is killed in this country.In any sport decisions go against you from time to time,but these players insighted the crowd and this is not acceptable.

- David, london, 07/05/2009 12:56
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At least now there will be a full house for the final.
After only selling only 3000 of their allocation of 4500 for the first leg, Chelsea would have had to offer their travelling fans a 100 ticket per person allocation or give one away with a packet of corn flakes!
Worth watching the whining of Terry and Ballack at the end though, quality 3 year old behaviour.
Barcelona v Man U is the final all of us neutrals wanted for the sake of entertaining football.

- Terry, London, 07/05/2009 12:52
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Chelsea yet again show what a classy outfit they really aren't. The refs dispaly was poor but now way does he deserve the treatment he got from Drogba, Ballack and Terry. As for their fans there is nothing more to say. I've just checked the official CFC website and there is no hint of an apology what so ever. When they play in Europe next season their first few games should be behind closed gates.

- Adam Manktelow, Dartford, Kent, 07/05/2009 12:49
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Actually the ref. also missed to give Iniesta a second yellow card cause he took of his jersie after his goal

- A. Nilsson, Copenhagen, 07/05/2009 12:48
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Passionate hate can sometimes give meaning to an empty life. "Poor" Chelsea fans!

- Stian, Bergen, 07/05/2009 12:45
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So both semi finals result in cheatng. Drogba and Ronaldo fall over so stupidly and so often, basically cheating. Ronaldo claims free kicks which are blatantly not valid, he scores from one versus Arsenal. Drogba falls to the ground so often in the penalty box its like he has a homing beacon to it. The final is marred already.

- Steve, London, 07/05/2009 12:44
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Drogba appears to have been enjoying PR lessons from Mandelson and Brown; instead of apologising and accepting that he failed to do his job, he goes on the attack against the ref.

Chelsea: ‘orrible club, ‘orrible fans, ‘orrible players and home of the most ‘orrible England captain we’ve ever had!

- St, London, 07/05/2009 12:37
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With the total ineptness of the referee I can't see anything else than him blatantly refereeing with the goal of getting Barcelona into the final.

That does not in any way excuse Drogba and Ballack and their appalling behaviour, they were disgraceful. That however is an easy problem to solve UEFA just needs to ban them.

The bigger issue ofcourse is how do we go about UEFA and FIFA running football into the ground by destroying it's integrity with bias and club level meddling instead of being a neutral overseer and organiser of events.

- Fredrik, Stockholm, Sweden, 07/05/2009 12:37
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You Norwegians should be more ashamed of your countryman's inability to perform at anything remotely like a minimally acceptable level, rather than to criticise a display of emotion.

What of the swearing - it was well after 21:00 and the words are heard virtually every day on TV now.

What of the display of anger at injustice... perhaps Nazi authority should have been complied with, without complaint? Or Apartheid allowed to continue unchallenged?

Disproportionate injustice and unfairness, whatever the source, should be repelled without quarter and no excuses should be made for doing so. The alternative is that those abusing their power and authority will flourish and those with morals will flounder.

John

- John, London, 07/05/2009 12:35
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The Chelsea players should hang their heads in shame this morning. Absolutely disgusting to watch the end of game scenes at Stamford Bridge last night. The referee didn't stop Drogba missing his easy one on one with the goalkeeper did he? Get over it and grow up. The conspiracy theory suggestions are laughable.

- Richard, Winchester, UK, 07/05/2009 12:32
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You don't get this in Rugby union. Get on with your normal footballer pursuits of hair styles and manicures etc.

- Gareth, Hampshire, 07/05/2009 12:21
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I watched the whole match with my son of eleven. He loves playing and watching football. But at the end of the game I wanted to "smuggle" him out of the living room to avoid severe damage in his faith to humanity and the so-called stars of Chelsea.

The way Drogba, Ballack and Terry acted in the last minutes of - and after - the match was really “a dreadful display of petulance” as Graham Poll put it. It is possible - and I repeat possible - that the referee was denying Chelsea one penalty during the match (the ball touching Pique's arm). But for the rest, none of the other disputed situations was wrong. One possible error during such a match might be one to many, but there is NO excuse for the behaviour og Drogba, Ballack and Terry.

- Gunnar, North-Trondelag, 07/05/2009 12:18
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I am not a Chelsea fun but when you see such disgusting
actions by the referee you will feel that he is a disgrace to the game. Now lets see what action the Eufa will take against him because it was not one mistake but most of the actions he tood were all in favour of Barca.
Pleasae do not forget Frisk who resigned. WHY??? It simply stinks and again Barca were involved.
In the quarter finals EUFA chose 3 referees who's nation were involved. It could have easily been avoided because there were only 4 nations involved.A spanish was in charge of Chelsea-Liverpool. why? He could show yellow cards which will have consequences against the English clubs when they meet Barca.
A.Messina

- A.Messina, Malta, 07/05/2009 12:15
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Whilst I thought that at least one of the claims should have been a penalty. We have referees and we must abide by their decision. Like it or lump it.

What if Referees refuse to referee Chelsea home matches? This is the second referee who has been, allegedly, threatened with death!
assault and of accepting a bribe!

Such accusations cannot be accepted as normal behaviour. As an Arsenal supporter I was so impressed by the manner Darren Fletcher accepted his Red Card and the manner and words of Sir Alex Ferguson towards the referee.. Now that was how to take what is perceived to have been an unfair decision!

Chelsea fans should just recall the Barcelona game in Spain. Where they not disallowed a penalty? Did they threaten the referee?

I am sorry but on last night's behaviour and subsequent internet threats. This being their second offence. Chelsea should be banned from European Football for five years.

- Alan, chingford. essex, 07/05/2009 12:13
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These teams who play in blue always think they should automatically win!!

- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 07/05/2009 12:07
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The ref was appalling and so was Drogba. UEFA have to take some of the blame here for being so blatantly anti-Premiership - this sort of situation is bound to be treated a as a conspiracy.

- John Entwistle, Hertford, 07/05/2009 12:07
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Absolutely disgusting. These guys get paid hundreds of thousands of pounds a month, yet can't keep their mouths shut. It shouldn't surprise me, but it still does.

Chelsea - here's a novel idea - don't just fine the perpetrators, pay them a bloody realistic wage in the first place, THEN us fans can appreciate their rantings a bit more...bunch of jumped-up (probably coked-up too, if you look at Drogba's eyes in that first picture!) primadonna's. Disgraceful.

- Donny, Harrow, 07/05/2009 12:06
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To Whom it may concern.
Without any doubt the refereeing was out of touch with the game. Some of the players fit the same catogary.
But Barcelona did have 70 percent of the ball I suggest do what they do in Canadian Hockey. Have instant replayes on a TV Screen with a panel of three Judges.If the referee is not quite sure of the infraction then the instant replay would determine the outcome. Peter

- Mr P Nolan, Winnipeg Manitoba Canada, 07/05/2009 12:06
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Drogba and Ballack are spoiled kids. That behavoir shold be punishes hard. But I assume the culture in a club only reflects the behaviour of owner, manager and others.

Referee was not good, but Drogba had several chances he missed. He is diving, filming and screeming as always. Footballers gets away with anything. Sad for the game.

- Rune Solberg, Oslo, Norway, 07/05/2009 11:58
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Football fans and players are a complete disgrace. Learn how to behave! Regardless of high levels of passion or whether it was a bad decision or not, the players should not have reacted like that at the end, particularly Drogba who is just an animal and should be banned for at least a year to provide an example to the younger generation. It is testament to the moral decline of this country over the last ten years that bad behaviour on the football field is justified and has seeped into every day life. Why don't all the referees just go on strike and then there wouldn't be any football - surely there is a multi-millionaire out there who hates football and is willing to bank roll their salaries. When will this country wake up to the utter disgrace that is chavball?

- Ron, Vauxhall, Astra, 07/05/2009 11:53
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Hang your heads in shame Drogba and co. This was a disgrace to the great game of football! A bunch of over paid spoiled brats throwing their dummies out the pram. Get a life and get on with life Drogba and co! Tomorrow is another day and if you are lucky you might get to play in another game!

- Keith, Norway, Sabdnes Norway, 07/05/2009 11:52
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It's a game - grow up.

- Paul, Chatham, UK, 07/05/2009 11:49
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I did not see the matc ,and have just seen clipms of the socalled penalty incidents.I do understand that Chelsea are angry but it is in my opinion only the incident when the ball hits the barca defenders elbow in overtime when I feel that Mr Övrebö should have awarded Chelsea a penalty.
Have been a ref myself..you all should understand that a ref must make his decision in a split second and not based on how much certain players are screaming.He does not have axcess to wideo as tv reportes have!
As already said, I do understand chelsea but such behavior as Drogba and Ballack showed last night should not exist on a football field!
Doesn`t world class players like Drogba, Messi, Ballack and Cech make mistakes? Who cares when that happend? What about all the chances chelsea had earlier in the game?Referees are meant not to be humans, they are obviously not allowed to make mistakes..
If this is the case then I will say just :R.I.P Football..

- Trond, Malmo, Sweden, 07/05/2009 11:49
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Maybe if Drogba and Ballack where'nt renount for their faking and filming, they would be taken seriously when its the real deal. Dont cry wolf etc..

Not a good day for Ovrebo by all means, but grow up! Death threats and police-escort out of the country for a soccer-referee!?!? Shame on you! You dont deserve to be in the finals.

- Nite, Norway, 07/05/2009 11:48
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1) Terry missed a penalty
2) Chelsea couldn't hold of a Barca team with 10 players
3) The goal came in stoppage time which was added because Didier Drogba spends so much time lying around the field.

- Joakim, Oslo, Norway, 07/05/2009 11:47
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How peculiar, there's me thinking that you're meant to score goals not scrub around for penalities. Good on the ref for not awarding them, I'm sick to the back teeth of the behaviour of football players (diving, crying for penalities, trying to get other sent off, shouting & even approaching the ref in an aggressive manner. Bring some rugby discipline into football! Sissies the lot of them!

- Kerry Keegan, London, England, 07/05/2009 11:45
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penalty or no penalty, chelsea have shown yet again that they lack class and decorum, and their behaviour is a disgrace to the EPL, harrassing the refs like that. this (obviously) isn't the first time.

didier drogba should be ashamed of himself. he'd better up his game and play real football rather than roll around and feign injuries. with barca 10-men down, surely they should've done better than this.

and someone remind me: why is terry the english captain again?

- Mich, Hong Kong, 07/05/2009 11:43
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~VISCA EL BARCA !

- Ceber, POLAND, 07/05/2009 11:43
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I thought Mr Ovrebo had a good game considering the circumstances. Drogba and co should be ashamed of the way they behaved - overpaid, over-reacting and over there. What a shower of childish pre madonnas.

- Berit Smith, Kleppe, Norway, 07/05/2009 11:40
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The ref had a bad day, like the Chelsea forwards. Drogba doesn't get penalties because he falls as easy as a cigarett paper. Concerning the hand-touch, I believe one of them should have been penalty and one was not, we are born with hands and when the ball hits the hand at 30-50mph, it is hard to react fast enough.

- True Viking, Oslo, Norway, 07/05/2009 11:38
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I'm afraid I have to agree with John. There was ONLY 1 clear cut penalty disallowed, and having said that the sending off was ridiculous as well, although Chelsea did deserve to go through.

But whether it's the Champions League, World Cup or the Premier League, the authorities always want the "wealth creators" to succeed, they even admit it, which I find appalling.

- Jd, London, 07/05/2009 11:35
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I understand their frustrations, but players also make mistakes in matches that affect the outcome - Drogba had a couple of chances that he did not convert, Essien the goalscorer made a bad clearance just before the equaliser.

It would be easier to respect players' venting their frustrations at the mistakes of others if they would acknowledge the contribution to results made by their own mistakes.

It is very unhappy that there is a repeat performance of the referee being harangued and the recipient of death threats when Chelsea go out of this competition to Barcelona. It reflects very badly on the club.

- Michael, chelsea, london, 07/05/2009 11:35
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It couldn't have happened to a nicer Oligarch.

No trip to Rome for Roman, how sad.

- Undercover Elephant, London, 07/05/2009 11:24
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He is disgrace for the game

- Teddy, fredrikstad, 07/05/2009 11:24
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When will Chelsea fans grow up and realise that the one thing Abromovichs money cant buy the club is a touch of class?

- Alison Cary, Kirby, 07/05/2009 11:22
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Of the four incidents , two were of the type that, although blatant, one can see ignored by the referee every week on Sky. The first of the handball incidents was blatant, indisputably a foul, but might not have been within the referee's line of sight.

The second handball was the one that mattered. A defender who turns his back on play and raises his hand above his head, acts deliberately; this is hand ball and within the penalty area must result in a penalty kick. Along with every fan in the stadium and every television watcher, the referee and his linesmen could see the foul committed. This referee bottled it and should lose his licence.

- Kenharvey, Ramsgate, South Africa., 07/05/2009 11:22
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After the first 45 min l was a shame of Chelsea , but after the game l was shame at lm from Norway.He (Tom Henning Ovrebo ) just show to the world for the second time at Norvigian Ref must stay away from the big games !!! BTW is not the first time he sold out a game ...

- Teddy, fredrikstad, 07/05/2009 11:20
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Drogba's extreme anger is just a diversion tactic to take attention away from the extremely open goal he missed.

- Hippus, London, london, UK, 07/05/2009 11:17
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Yes, Gloria, the red card was unfair. But the same player should have been sent off - and a penalty given - for the professional foul in the first half. Oh, and by the way, playing with a ten-man defensive barrier isn't against the laws of the game, as far as I am aware. Just ask the Italians...

- Michael, London, UK, 07/05/2009 11:15
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Some Chelsea players have let themselves down very badly by their reaction and just demonstrates once again that money can't by class or decorum. Saying that Guus Hiddink has conducted himself with admirable respect and restraint and clearly doesn't belong at the club.

It also unfairly taints the league and the English as unsporting bad losers, in that respect Chelsea have failed us all.

- Jim, Battersea, 07/05/2009 11:11
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John Terry has proved yet again that he is not the right person to captain England.

- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 07/05/2009 11:09
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If football can get players and fans so worked up, all I can say is get a life. Football is a sport, so be sportsmen, not murderers. If you disagree with a referee's decision, use the professional bodies to sort out the disagreement. Otherwise, go take a cold shower ....

- With Smoke Coming Out Of My Ears, London NW11, 07/05/2009 11:04
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Chelsea players and fans showing their class and dignity again!

- Gp, Cambridge, 07/05/2009 11:01
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For those of us who suspect parts of the game of football are at root more sick than even our banking sector, then last night's scenes and reporting of internet death threats to the ref give reasonable evidence. The berating of the ref was appalling to watch - no one just doing their job (even if badly) should be subject to such public abuse which incites thugs to threaten his life.

- Mike, london, 07/05/2009 10:57
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These people want to learn about real problems in the world..... famine, war, injustice. This football nonsense is fantasy land and so are the people who follow it. This proves my point.

- Jc, London, 07/05/2009 10:40
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Typical Chelsea. Stand by a confirmed cheat like Didier Drogba, a player who has spent his entire Chelsea career trying to con referees and cheat opponents with his theatrical diving and feigning of serious injury !

There were only two bad decisions last night. Firstly, the Pique handball which the referee missed because he and his linesmen were unsighted. Secondly, the sending off, which should have gift wrapped the match to Chelsea.
Look again at the other three penalty claims and they are far from clear cut.

Instead we listen and view this vituperative crying of foul and claims of conspiracy theories from a team who simply weren't good enough to take the multitude of chances they had to win the game.

Ultimately though, if Chelsea want to blame one individual for their failure last night, they need look no further than Didier Drogba. Had he spent the match playing the football for which he is paid, rather than rolling about the pitch feigning serious injury, there would not have been enough injury time for Barcelona to get an equaliser and an away goal

- John Bloomfield, Twickenham, 07/05/2009 10:32
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Another disgusting display from over paid pre Madonnas called football players,and fans who are nothing but little boys squabbling over a game,and remember it is only a game,how many foot ball players have been in the news this year alone for offences like fighting in a club or in one instance punching a woman in the face,what sort of example are these neanderthals being allowed to show are young men!how low has are national sport sunk!good god o for the days of bobby Charlton and others who had self respect and pride in themselves as men and were ambassadors for the sport and our once great country.the players involved should never be allowed to represent this country ever again,there pay should be stopped and there pensions given to charity.

- Kev, London-UK, 07/05/2009 10:29
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You people have to grow up, it is a football game not a matter of life and death. I you lot were in Barca's place we would not be hearing all these abuse and if Chelsea had played football instead of spending their time building a ten man defense barrier, theatrics or relying on suspected penalties to win the game, they would have. If you had any self respect you would also be talking about Drogba's and Malouda's disgraceful theatrics, or the unfair red card, do you by any chance have anything to say about that?.

- Gloria Hoffmann, Norway, 07/05/2009 10:23
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There is no denying that this referee has denied Chelsea a rightful place in this year's CL Final. I want to know WHAT UEFA/Platini and Co are saying about the dispeakable performance of their appointed referee. Their well documented desire that Barcelona and not Chelsea should be in the Final "for the good of football" has been granted, but, are they going to apologise to Chelsea? Answers...anybody?

- Kypros Shacolas, Nicosia, Cyprus, 07/05/2009 10:19
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I`m from Norway and Chelsea have always been my team. And I now that Tom Henning Ovrebo have do many things like this before here In Norway I don`t like him.

- Bjørn-Einar Tettli Larsen, Fauske, Norway, 07/05/2009 10:05
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I watched the game last night; Chelsea should have had two, poss three pens. and Barcelona shouldn't of had a man sent off. The ref. was poor bordering on incompetent.

Still most followers of non-Prem. football have to put up with type of referring display every week!

- Mark, South-East London, 07/05/2009 10:00
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