So Chelsea are appealing the decision to give Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa respective bans from European competition. What a surprise.
Drogba has been given a six-game ban by Uefa (two of which are suspended for two years) from European competition; team-mate Jose Bosingwa, has been handed a four-match ban, one of which is suspended.
Now firstly to Drogba. Interesting to see the reaction to the ban after he said prior to the ruling, he would be prepared to accept any ban imposed by Uefa. Me thinks he was expecting to get away with a slap on the wrist. Well, think again Didier…
Bosingwa was guilty of calling the referee a ‘thief’, amongst other things. That will teach him to go running to the Portuguese media after a game then, won’t it?!
The thing is, despite the circumstances and ill-feeling due to the controversial decisions made by the referee that night, there is no excuse for the way Bosingwa and, in particular, Drogba, reacted at the final whistle. His aggressive nature towards referee Henning Ovrebo, not to mention choice words straight down a TV camera, were inexcusable. He is a highly-paid professional who serves as a role model to millions of children, not to mention those back in his native Ivory Coast. Yes emotions run high, but that does not mean to say discipline can be thrown out of the window.
In the year of the Respect campaign, Uefa had no choice other than to hand Drogba a heavy fine – otherwise imagine what sort of stand that would have made to the footballing-world. Uefa had to make a point, and have done to strongly in with the imposed bans. On the other hand….
The improper charge for conduct by their fans and players imposed on Chelsea -and with it a £85,000 fine…now that’s not exactly making a point, is it? Chelsea are indeed appealing that too….sure, because they can’t afford that can they?! Honestly, after making strong gestures with the Drogba and Bosingwa bans, what is the point in handing billionaire Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea side, a measly £85,000 fine?!! It’s not even going to make a pin-prick dent in My Moneybag’s pocket is it?
Anyway, we shall see what comes of the appeals. Knowing Uefa, they will fail to stand by their strong stance, and cave in under the millions of pounds…sorry pressure….from the power that is Chelsea and the English PL. Still, here’s hoping….
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Ref are very much protected, coz it is not an easy job. It they start punishing ref a lot will run away. Video replay is very important to help ref make more correct decisions.