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Ivory Coast forward Drogba will miss the first four of Chelsea's six group stage matches in the Champions League next season while Bosingwa will sit out half of them. Chelsea were fined 100,000 euros ($138,600) for the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by the Premier League club's supporters at the end of the tie on May 6. UEFA said on its website (www.uefa.com) that the players and Chelsea had three days to appeal against the decision.
Chelsea were knocked out in dramatic circumstances when Barcelona's Andres Iniesta scored a crucial away goal in stoppage time, leading to a furious reaction from Chelsea players to Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo who waved away several penalty claims for the home side. Drogba harangued Ovrebo after the final whistle, screaming insults and then launched a foul-mouthed tirade towards a live television camera. Bosingwa later described the referee as "a thief" when talking to Portuguese television. Both players later apologised for their reactions with Drogba saying he would accept any punishment.
UEFA spokesman Rob Faulkner said the sanctions were "fairly strict but appropriate". Talking to BBC Radio Five he said: "We have to set certain standards. We do have a 'Respect' campaign and the Uefa president (Michel Platini) is instrumental behind that. "The players are key to that, in setting a good example both on and off the pitch. The club obviously has a responsibility for the way their players behave as well. "All in all, that's the reasoning for the decision." The London club said on their website (www.chelseafc.com) that they were still considering their response to the punishments.
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Drobga should learn to accept defeat.To err is human,so applies to the referee.On top of that Drobga should know thaat the referee's descision is final.To some extent i understand that the refeere was somewat baised,but as a proffessional footballers i think both players should have conducted themselves in more mature manner.Its not first we we see/witness biased refereing or dubios mistakes by refeeres.
I cant believe the not-shame attitude of the UEFA. They punished Chelsea but what they really should do is to ban the referee. Everyone saw the penalties and the no-red card to Abidal.UEFA should award Chelsea because they always take their (UEFA´s) "mistakes" against the english club. UEFA hates Chelsea, it´s always the same. Just because they don´t agree with the philosofy of football that the blues follows.If the UEFA had shame would do that CONMEBOL did with mexican teams and to put Chelsea in the Final of UCL ´10 automatically.Chelsea has the right to play as they best do, even if is not so magically, and to have a good referee.