Chelsea pair have bans reduced
-
Chelsea pair have bans reduced
Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa have had their European bans reduced by one game each on appeal.
UEFA have reduced the punishments to the pair after their conduct in the wake of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final elimination by Barcelona in May.
Ivory Coast frontman Drogba will now miss the first three of Chelsea's Champions League games this season and Bosingwa the first two.
A statement on UEFA's official website read: "Under the UEFA Appeals Body's verdicts, Drogba will be suspended for five UEFA club competition matches - the last two of which will be deferred for a probationary period of three years - and has been fined 15,000. Bosingwa will be suspended for three UEFA club competition matches, the last of which is deferred for a probationary period of three years, and fined 10,000."
Drogba and Bosingwa faced charges of being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments.
Drogba launched a foul-mouthed rant at Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle of Chelsea's second-leg against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on May 6.
The Blues conceded a last-gasp equaliser to draw the game 1-1 and go out on away goals and there were angry scenes afterwards with Cherious at having four penalty claims turned down.
Drogba, who had been substituted in the second half, appeared from the tunnel to confront the referee.
Bosingwa later described Ovrebo as a "thief" in an interview on Portuguese television.
Both players apologised for their behaviour.
The UEFA statement added: "The 100,000 fine imposed against Chelsea by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body remains confirmed (as the club withdrew their appeal), for the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters at the match against Barcelona."
teamtalk.
-
post deleted
-
no worries. theres anelka, shevchenko and sturridge
-
post deleted