Blues to appeal European bans

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Chelsea have hit out at the 'unnecessarily harsh' punishments handed out by Uefa to Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa.

European football's governing body imposed sanctions on the Blues duo and fined the club in the wake of their controversial UEFA Champions League semi-final defeat at the hands of Barcelona.

Uefa revealed last Monday that the Stamford Bridge club were appealing against the sanctions and Chelsea have now confirmed their intention to fight the punishments.

Striker Drogba was handed a six-game European ban following his ugly confrontation with referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, with the final two matches deferred for two years.

Team-mate Bosingwa was issued a four-game ban, with the final match deferred, after comments about Ovrebo in a post-match interview, which he later retracted.

Chelsea were fined €100,000 (£85,000) for improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters.

The Blues were infuriated by the referee's performance in the second leg of their semi-final showdown with eventual winners Barca, as they saw four fervent penalty appeals rejected.

The Spanish giants booked their place in the Rome final on away goals courtesy of a last-gasp strike from Andres Iniesta and went on to lift the trophy with a 2-0 success over Manchester United.

A statement on Chelsea's official website read: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm it has today lodged an appeal against the Uefa bans given to Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa, and the fine imposed against the club.

"We believe these punishments are unnecessarily harsh given the circumstances.

"We would reiterate that the players and the club are acutely aware of our responsibilities towards setting a good example as role models and upholding the values of the game.

"That is why honest and sincere apologies were made swiftly after these regrettable incidents occurred."

Source - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_5406434,00.html

[Elliott 7]

Seems like a cul-de-sac to me, but give it a go anyway.

[Fulham Broadway 16,977]

Throwing of missiles ? Should have fucking fired a missile.

Dont think theres much hope of this -Drogba leering down the camera into 250 million peoples homes shouting ''its a fucking disgrace!'' tends to be frowned upon by the TV Moneymen.

Loved it though. And it was true. The Chelsea hierarchy know this, Drogba knows this and all the world know that we were stitched up but you cant say so.....

[BlueLion. 21,491]

It can't hurt to appeal, I suppose. It doesn't matter; we'll negotiate the group stage, then the rest of the remainding teams can face the wrath of a pissed-off Didier Drogba.

[diskoviolente 425]

My 1000th posting, a good place to do it here.

Chelsea FC right to appeal against the bans, because obviously Chelsea was a victim in this case, and not the poor UEFA or the children out there. And the pitch wasn´t hurt by the flags that maybe were thrown on the pitch.

The threatening against Oevrebroes life is not okay, but this has nothing to do with Drogba, Bos or the Club itself

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Precisely. But let's not forget; we're Chelsea, we can forget about appealing.

[diskoviolente 425]

Thats true, but it is about setting a sign for us fans and the UEFA making clear that not everything is swallowed by them bastards

[chelseapaul 0]

We should be pushing for that kunt Platini to step down and take his anglophobe cronies with him.

He's the one who's the disgrace. If UEFA dont ask for his resignation then we know where their alligencies lie too..

Edited July 1, 2009 by chelseapaul

[Laylabelle 9,408]

But the appeal could backfire on us.Like cant remember who Boro? appealed to get a red card overturned and for some reason the guy got an extra games ban...and knowing how much they lovvveee us

Edited July 4, 2009 by Laylabelle

[TrueChelseaBlue 105]

imo, Platini's a self centred, biased little asshole, he deffo should resign, givin us a ref like that, pffft

[diskoviolente 425]

The bans have been reduced by one match for Drogs and Bos after the Clubs appeal.

"Uefa reduced the bans of Didier Drogba and José Bosingwa by a game yesterday after a successful appeal by the club. Drogba had been suspended for four matches and Bosingwa for three after their reaction to the defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final last season."

thetimes.co.uk