UEFA lay down law to Chelsea

As UEFA awaited the reports from referee Tom Henning Ovrebo and the match delegate, Chelsea and Didier Drogba tried to limit the damage by making public apologies. But he is set to be joined in the dock by Michael Ballack.

Last night Drogba said: “I was very upset at what happened during the game but, having seen the pictures on TV, I accept that I overreacted. I also fully accept that the language I used did not set a good example for those watching at home, especially children.

“I regret that, in the heat of the moment, I let out my incredible frustration and disappointment in this way and for that I apologise.”

Ballack, who screamed at the official, Drogba and the Chelsea squad were furious that Ovrebo turned down four penalty appeals at Stamford Bridge, punctuated by Andres Iniesta’s decisive injury-time goal.

The club added in a statement: “Chelsea welcome Didier’s statement which was made honestly and after reflection. We are all acutely aware of the responsibility that lies with both the club and its players towards setting a good example as role models.

“While it is clear that some of the events were regrettable, they occurred only because of the high emotions and frustrations which arose from the disappointment of a controversial defeat in such an important game. We made representations to UEFA immediately after the game and we await their comments following a review of the match officials’ report.”

Despite the contrition, the threat of a suspension for the start of next season’s Champions League hangs over both Drogba and Ballack, while Chelsea could be fined for failing to control their players.

A UEFA spokesman said: “Drogba could be banned for a number of matches, we don’t know how many. It would be decided by a controlling body. We get the report and maybe look at video evidence and then they can take actions against specific players.”

Despite the fact he could be in trouble, Ballack said: “I don’t know if it [the game] was fixed. I hope it wasn’t. Mistakes can happen in football, but the referee made quite a lot. We are disappointed with the referee.”

Captain John Terry’s behaviour and criticism of UEFA’s appointment of Ovrebo could also come under scrutiny.

And there could also be bad news for Jose Bosingwa after he told Portuguese broadcaster RTP: “It seems he [Ovrebo] was told to be against Chelsea. I do not know if he is a referee or a thief. He should never referee again.”

But Bosingwa last night issued a statement that read: “I regret describing the referee as a thief. Having had some time to reflect, I would like to withdraw those comments.”

Ovrebo’s report will focus on incidents on the pitch, while it is up to the match delegate to report anything that may have happened in the tunnel and dressing-room area.

It was claimed by sources from Italian television inside the tunnel that Drogba shouted obscenities at Ovrebo while slamming the wall, something the Chelsea player denies.

CCTV footage will be examined by UEFA if it is needed to back up a claim from the delegate.

UEFA general secretary David Taylor was angered by suggestions of a conspiracy . He said: “It really annoys me because it is a load of rubbish.”