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Hiddink: Chelsea robbed of final spot by referee

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-07 10:06

LONDON - There was no way of restraining Didier Drogba's anger as Chelsea was denied a spot in the Champions League final in stoppage time by Barcelona on Wednesday.

Four security officials and manager Guus Hiddink struggled to prevent the striker from venting his fury at the referee after Andres Iniesta's 93rd-minute equalizer sent the Spanish club through on away goals after a 1-1 draw.

Chelsea's Didier Drogba (R) points a finger at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after their Champions League second leg semi-final soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London. [Agencies]

"Disgrace." he shouted at the television cameras.

For Drogba, the semifinal should have been over by halftime and like Hiddink, he put the blame entirely on Norwegian official Tom Henning Ovrebo.

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The Ivory Coast international was denied a strong penalty claim in the 26th minute after being dragged back by Eric Abidal and again in the 57th after being hauled down by Yaya Toure.

Even after Iniesta canceled out Michael Essien's ninth-minute volley and with the clock ticking, the Blues thought Samuel Eto'o had given them a chance to claim a winner from the penalty spot when he appeared to handle.

"There is an overall feeling of being robbed, injustice," Hiddink said. "That's why the players were so hot and angry and I could understand the emotion of them.

"If you have seen three or four situations waved away then it's the worst I have seen (from a referee). At this moment I have to think if I have seen worse."

Hiddink came to the post-match press conference with meticulous notes of the penalties that never were and clutching a DVD of a match he will struggle to watch again.

"It's not just one decision in doubt but it's several not made decisions," Hiddink said. "In big games like this you need top-notch referees who have had big experience in the leagues of Spain, Italy, England and Germany."

Even Barcelona defender Gerard Pique acknowledged that the ball struck his hand when under pressure from Nicolas Anelka in the closing minutes.

"To be fair the ball touched my hand but I didn't want to touch it," Pique said. "The ref can decide what he wants and he decided not to say it was a penalty and you have to respect the decisions. Sometimes the decision is wrong but I am just happy to qualify for the final. The other things we cannot control."