Furious Chelsea Undone in Stoppage Time

Oh Tom Henning Ovrebo, even your comedy name cannot save you now. For you have stirred in me that which i never could possibly have imagined earlier this afternoon : sympathy for John Terry and Didier Drogba. It is never surprising to see Didier Drogba flapping around furiously on the field. In many ways, i'm disappointed when he doesn't provide his usual cocktail of arrogance mixed with a flair for the arts. On this occasion, his ire, and subsequent verbal tirade, were completely understandable.

Now, before you destroy me with your logic about how "there's nothing Drogba could do after the game has finished." and how the "Chelsea players acted childishly by angrily remonstrating with the referee." - I don't deny that. But i do find it odd that it is of the utmost importance that we respect our referees, yet, when they make an almighty cock-up (or 3 eh, Tom?) they can simply walk away without recrimination. I believe it is also important for the officials to respect the players.

I understand that on this occasion it was mighty difficult for Mr. Henning Ovrebo to politely enquire as to the nature of the Chelsea players' animosity, as they were trying to physically assault him at the time. (-see Micheal Ballack clearly smacking Tom twice as the two tangoed up the field towards the end of the game.) But i would like it to be compulsory for a referee to do an interview after the game in order to explain his decisions.

If Mr. Henning Ovrebo had come out in front of the cameras and said simply that he thought, for example Gerard Pique had some sort of seizure mid-game, thus explaining why Pique's arm sprung out quickly towards the ball (the involuntary nature of such an action thus absolving young Pique of any blame), then yes we might say " OK, Mr. Henning Ovrebo, you make an excellent point."

Having the ref walk off the field guarded by security and then loaded into an unmarked van, destination unknown is no way to end a Champions League Semi-Final. Respect for the ref? Respect goes both ways, UEFA.

Final Observation: Drogba limped off twenty minutes from time. For an injured man, that was an inspired sprint towards the referee at the end. Way to play through the pain, Didier.