Chelsea blame referee for Champions League exit
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Chelsea were furious with referee Tom Henning Øvrebø for ignoring four strong penalty appeals as they saw their European dreams ended in controversial circumstances.
The Blues were knocked out by Barcelona on away goal following a dramatic 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
A group of Chelsea players confronted Øvrebø at the final whistle as they were incensed with the decision-making of the Norwegian official, who they feel got a number of decisions wrong during the match - including up to five penalty claims.
"It's difficult when players are so high on emotion after a game," said Blues skipper John Terry. "It's not surprising for us to come off the field and show that emotion.
"People are saying we shouldn't have reacted the way we did. But the fact is, six decisions went against us in front of 40,000 people. And for the ref to not give one of them is unusual.
"Not one player made one mistake in the two legs. The referee has made four or five or six big errors and now we're out of the competition."
Defender José Bosingwa added: "This referee was bought. I do not know if he is a referee or a thief. There are no words to describe the person that was on the pitch here.
"The way he refereed the match was not the most correct one. He should never referee again.
"When there is at least three clean penalties not given I don't think you expect people just to walk off the pitch," Frank Lampard said.
"And I don't think too many questions should be asked (about the protestations)."
Michael Ballack, who was booked late on after he claimed a penalty when his shot was charged down by Samuel Eto'o, was equally disappointed.
He said: "Everyone saw there were a lot of decisions not right.
"There is a point where you can speak about one or two, but there were four or five in the box - at this level Champions League semi-final - I don't know if you have to accept it."
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The Blues were knocked out by Barcelona on away goal following a dramatic 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
A group of Chelsea players confronted Øvrebø at the final whistle as they were incensed with the decision-making of the Norwegian official, who they feel got a number of decisions wrong during the match - including up to five penalty claims.
"It's difficult when players are so high on emotion after a game," said Blues skipper John Terry. "It's not surprising for us to come off the field and show that emotion.
"People are saying we shouldn't have reacted the way we did. But the fact is, six decisions went against us in front of 40,000 people. And for the ref to not give one of them is unusual.
"Not one player made one mistake in the two legs. The referee has made four or five or six big errors and now we're out of the competition."
Defender José Bosingwa added: "This referee was bought. I do not know if he is a referee or a thief. There are no words to describe the person that was on the pitch here.
"The way he refereed the match was not the most correct one. He should never referee again.
"When there is at least three clean penalties not given I don't think you expect people just to walk off the pitch," Frank Lampard said.
"And I don't think too many questions should be asked (about the protestations)."
Michael Ballack, who was booked late on after he claimed a penalty when his shot was charged down by Samuel Eto'o, was equally disappointed.
He said: "Everyone saw there were a lot of decisions not right.
"There is a point where you can speak about one or two, but there were four or five in the box - at this level Champions League semi-final - I don't know if you have to accept it."
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