Cheating Referee???
This morning at Stamford Bridge saw a UEFA Champions League semi final between Chelsea and Barcelona. a nil all draw at the Nou Camp last week really set this game up to be a classic. And by all accounts was just that.
Shame
The shame of it all is that it will be more remembered by the absolutely disgusting display by Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba towards the referee. The Chelsea players were incensed at up to 4 decisions not going their way, with the most damaging being a late hand ball claim that would have given Chelsea a penalty and the match. For the record, it was a 50-50 for me, there was no intent and the player had turned his back.
Disgusting
The scene of Ballack chasing the referee up the field screaming at him is just not needed in our game. It shows utter disrespect for the officials and for the game in general.
Then after the whistle we see Terry approach the ref and then Drogba lets loose with the most unprofessional tirade I have seen on a football field in a very long time.
Cheating Referee?
Drogba’s comments suggest he thinks the referee was cheating and then his coach, Guus Hiddink (I love the man for what he did for Australian Football) goes and backs him up by agreeing with Drogba in a press conference.
If you want to make such allegations make sure you have the evidence to prove it.
Enough time to win it.
Chelsea went 1-0 up in the ninth minute. The highlights suggest that Chelsea had a number of chances to increase their lead but failed to do so. At about the 70th minute Barca had Abidal sent off for a professional foul. I would argue that it was not even a foul. And I am sure if Barca lost we would hear a lot about that incident. Nevertheless, Chelsea played against 10 men for the last 20 minutes and still could not score.
The facts are that Chelsea had enough time and possession to win a place in the final and did not. A 93rd minute strike put Braca through on the away goal rule.
Stop Whinging
Chelsea fans should stop whinging about the referee and focus on why one of the most expensive Football teams on the planet missed golden opportunities.
In the end the referees and the players are humans beings and humans make mistakes. The referee could have given another penalty just like Essien could have scored a second goal. Neither did.
Disciplinary Action required
UEFA should take a hard line against Drogba in particular but also Ballack and Hiddink to a lesser extent. All for bringing the game in to disrepute.
Cheers
Tezza
PS: Why do women love Chelsea?
They can stay on top for ninety minutes and still come second!
May 07 2009 08:13 pm | General
Milanchamp on 07 May 2009 at 9:20 pm #
I agree with most of that. Drogba was utterly disgraceful… he should be rubbed out of Europe for a while. He was probably more frustrated by the fact he had an absolute sitter of a chance to score and missed the one on one, im sure i would have scored that… Ballack was terrible, but at least it was during the game and he wasn’t swearing at the camera people as well. Well said Tezza, Chelsea were playing against 10 men for 20mins, actually through that time Barca dominated more and more.
David on 07 May 2009 at 10:14 pm #
Evidence to think it was a cheating referee? dont you think its suss that there are the same teams going into the champions league final – two english teams. It doesnt look good for the competition if the same two teams are reaching the final does it? 4 penalty claims that were more than solid penalties. The reaction from chelsea was wrong – but justified. I would do exactly the same. worst referring performance I have ever seen
Terry on 08 May 2009 at 8:24 am #
David, conspiracy theories are not evidence. The ref did not stop Terry or Essien from scoring an open goal. He also sent a Barca player off for nothing. And I would say only 2 of the 4 could have been solid penalties. Yes the referee may be in error but he did not cheat.
And the reactions from Ballack and Drogba cannot in any way be justified. It was bad sportsmanship and they both should be punished.
For the record I am a neutral and had no preference as to a winner.
Brendon on 14 May 2009 at 4:53 pm #
That’s a terrible mistake Terry.
You don’t spell Brendon “C-H-E-L-S-E-A”.
It’s “B-R-E-N-D-O-N”
Geeeeez mate.