Drogba 'sorry' for referee abuse

Didier Drogba has apologised for verbally abusing Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo following Chelsea's Champions League exit on Wednesday.
The Ivorian and several team-mates surrounded Ovrebo after Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Barcelona, with Drogba clearly swearing at the Norwegian.
In a statement issued by the club Drogba admitted he overreacted.
"In the heat of the moment I let out my huge frustration and disappointment and for that I apologise," he said.
The 31-year-old continued his verbal attack on the match officials even after being booked, and had to be restrained as Ovrebo went down the tunnel.
"I was very upset at what happened during the game," added Drogba.


Taylor calls for Uefa to use video evidence

"I also fully accept that the language I used did not set a good example for those watching at home, especially children."
Chelsea were aggrieved that a number of penalty appeals were turned down by Ovrebo, before and after Andres Iniesta's dramatic injury-time strike that sent Barcelona through on the away goal's rule into a final against Manchester United in Rome on 27 May.
European governing body Uefa is expected to punish Drogba for his behaviour within the next 24 hours.
"It is not acceptable," Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It will have to be punished [by Uefa]. But having been a player, you knew where Drogba was coming from."
Taylor also suggested the Chelsea staff could have done more to defuse the situation.
"You could see there were going to be problems at the end of the game and that's why stewards and security should have been very careful to make sure that no-one got near the referee," he said.
A Uefa spokesman refused to confirm whether Drogba or Chelsea will face reprimands, saying: "We will see the report from the referee and match delegate before deciding whether to take any action."
Chelsea added to Drogba's apology with a club statement of their own, which read: "Chelsea welcomes Didier's statement today which was made honestly and after reflection.
"We are all acutely aware of the responsibilities that lie with both the club and its players towards setting a good example as role models.
"While it is clear that some of the events last night were regrettable, they occurred only because of the high emotions and frustrations which arose from the disappointment of a controversial defeat in such an important game.
"We made representations to Uefa immediately after the game and we await their comments following a review of the match officials' report."
Blues captain John Terry, who also strongly remonstrated with Ovrebo, defended the reactions of the Chelsea players and Drogba in particular.


"I am fully behind Didier for the way he reacted," declared Terry. "The man wants to win. You can see the passion that he played with during the game and the passion afterwards.
"People are saying we shouldn't have reacted the way we did but the fact is, six decisions went against us in front of 40,000 people. And for the ref to not give one of them is unusual."
The central defender also condemned the decision to select Ovrebo for such a high-profile tie.
Taylor added that the controversy over Ovrebo's performance, which also saw him controversially send off Barca's Eric Abidal, underlined the need to use video technology to aid match officials.
"It is too much pressure on the referee," he claimed.
"I don't understand why they don't make use of technology to make sure decisions are right. It is used in other sports and used well."
Meanwhile, defender Jose Bosingwa issued a statement on Thursday to retract comments made in a Portuguese TV interview in which he described Ovrebo as a "thief".
Bosingwa said: "We were all very disappointed and frustrated after the game, but I regret describing the referee as a thief.
"Having had some time to reflect, I would like to withdraw those comments." (from BBC News)

The behaviour of the Chelsea team was appalling, now their young fans think that it is right to abuse officials in this way, not a good example by a premiership team...

A classic example of the idiotic, feeble-minded, inept thugs that are paid exorbitant sums of money to kick a round object about!!!

Why, oh why are they allowed to get away with this extremely poor example to impressionable youngsters who will believe that this conduct is the 'accepted norm'? Good grief! Where is the reality in this?

The big difference here is that you do not get this behaviour in the gentlemen's game of rugby! Nuf said IMO..............................



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Dell

You're obviously an egg-chasing fan. What about all the fights, stamping, gouging, ripping of ears etc in rugby? I guess they're all ok as long as there's no dissent to the ref?

And at least footballers don't bum each other in the showers afterwards either.............

Dell wrote:A classic example of the idiotic, feeble-minded, inept thugs that are paid exorbitant sums of money to kick a round object about!!!

Why, oh why are they allowed to get away with this extremely poor example to impressionable youngsters who will believe that this conduct is the 'accepted norm'? Good grief! Where is the reality in this?

The big difference here is that you do not get this behaviour in the gentlemen's game of rugby! Nuf said IMO..............................



.

Whats this then ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhCeONxRzu8

or this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ngxKz0BKDI&feature=related

or this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSVnN7-zdH8&feature=related

or this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWqvmGddkyw&feature=related

or this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkexXL88iZQ&feature=related


Your argument we can say is somewhat flawed lol

Yes............. it is a passionate game - is it not?







.

Dell wrote:Yes............. it is a passionate game - is it not?







.

It certainly is in the showers afterwards by all accounts

:Scared 1:

You appear to have quite a bit of knowledge of the showers part technophobe ..................... do you wish to tell us anymore?

Are you speaking from experience or personal knowledge?

Or ................. are you just on a mindless windup?

Please elaborate - if you are brave enough!?! :roll:


.

Dell wrote:Yes............. it is a passionate game - is it not?







.

Passion is not thuggery and all those incidents are not within the laws of the game,so in rugby its passion and in football its a disgrace ?

Rugby can only dream of ever being as big as football

In simple terms NEVER WILL BE

And you know it

Here is another example which contradicts your argument

http://rugbyreferee.co.nz/2009/05/01/referee-will-carry-on-dispite-assault/

Extract from the above

Rugby Player Punches Referee In Face

Frankton’s Taylor Sione, 20, was last night banned for life by the Waikato Rugby Union judiciary for hitting Bolton in the face as he was being red-carded for knocking out an opposition player during a senior B match against Te Rapa in Hamilton last Saturday.
Sione had to be subdued by other players after he tried to attack Bolton a second time.
“It was a pretty stressful thing to have to go through and there is still a court case coming up,” said Bolton, who has lodged a complaint with the police.