LONDON, (Reuters) – Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been banned for six UEFA matches, two of them deferred, for his improper behaviour in last season’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, UEFA said yesterday.
His team mate Jose Bosingwa was also suspended for four UEFA matches for his comments after the second leg at Stamford Bridge which ended in a 1-1 draw to send Barca through on away goals.
The final match of Bosingwa’s ban is also deferred for a probationary period of two years. Drogba will miss the first four of Chelsea’s Champions League matches next season. 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 and screamed at a live television camera while Bosingwa later described the referee as “a thief” when talking to Portuguese television.
Both players later apologised for their reactions.
The London club said on their website (www.chelseafc.com) that they were still considering their response to the punishments.
