Chelsea players Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa have been charged with misconduct by European soccer’s governing body UEFA after ugly scenes at the end of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on May 6.
UEFA has also brought disciplinary proceedings against the Premier League club for the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their fans.
Barcelona went through to the final against Manchester United on Wednesday on away goals after the match ended in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Ivory Coast captain Drogba harangued Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle before directing a foul-mouthed tirade at a television camera, while Bosingwa made disparaging remarks about Ovrebo in the media.
Both players face charges of bad sportsmanship.
Chelsea issued a statement later on Friday on its Web site saying the club would respond to the charges in “due course.”
“We would like to make clear again, as we did at the time, that the incidents in question were regrettable and occurred only because of the high emotions and frustrations which arose from the disappointment of a controversial defeat in such an important game,” the statement said.
A tense semi-final second leg turned nasty when Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta scored in the third minute of stoppage time to level an early goal by Michael Essien, sending Chelsea out of the competition on the away goals rule.
Drogba and other Chelsea players were furious that several strong penalty claims had been turned down during the match. Bosingwa later described the referee as “a thief” when talking to Portuguese television.
Both players later apologized for their reactions.
Chelsea’s Germany captain Michael Ballack has escaped any punishment despite charging after Ovrebo when another penalty appeal was waved away as they searched for a last-gasp winner.
UEFA has asked Chelsea for statements from the club and the two players by Friday. UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on June 17.
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