So UEFA have decided to make examples of Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa for the fracas that followed our Champions League semi-final exit against Barcelona?
A six game suspension (2 suspended) for Drogba and a four game ban (1 suspended) for Bosingwa – I won’t even repeat the expletives I greeted this decision with. I mean, forgive me if I missed it at the time but I can’t remember seeing either of them swinging an axe around or inflicting GBH on anyone – well, maybe on the refs earhole but it’s not as if he didn’t bloody ask for it! What exactly are UEFA doing about his performance by the way? Oh yeh that’s right, sweeping the fact his incompetence led to the fracas in the first place under the carpet.
Don’t get me wrong, whilst I’ve always maintained I can fully understand Drogba losing the plot after some of the decisions we had to put up with on the night, that doesn’t mean I agree with the way he went about it. But considering the circumstances leading up to his behavior, do UEFA really think the ban is in context? Personally I think it’s a bloody joke.
And as for Jose Bosingwa, what the bloody hell did he do to deserve his ban? If calling the ref a ‘thief’ is really worth a 3 game ban these days, I don’t expect to see many sides left with eleven players to field towards the end of next seasons Champions League. And what about Michael Ballack – not that I’m asking for him to get a similar punishment but surely if Bosingwa’s contribution was worth 3 games, then they’d have had to ban Ballack as well? What’s with all the inconsistency?
The club also received an £85,000 fine for failing to control their players and for the behaviour of the supporters, who clearly should have tutted politely as each blatant penalty decision went begging. And for future reference lads – a mere shake of the head will suffice to mark our exit from the competition at the hands of incompetent officials.
Anyway, needless to say, with Drogba set to miss most of our group games in next seasons competition, Chelsea are planning to appeal the draconian rulings.
I won’t hold my breath that UEFA will suddenly come to their senses.