Chelsea to appeal UEFA punishments

English Premier League giants Chelsea appealed on Monday against the punishments meted out last week by UEFA over their behaviour following the Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona last month.

The club had originally announced that they would accept the decision of UEFA on the behaviour of Ivory Coast star striker Didier Drogba and Portuguese international fullback Jose Bosingwa – Chelsea were also fined 100,000 euros.

However, they have decided that after Drogba received a six match suspension two of which are suspended, while Bosingwa was handed a four-game ban, with one match suspended, last week that they will appeal.

UEFA’s judgement followed the angry scenes that marred Chelsea’s elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona after a 1-1 draw between the clubs in the second leg of their semi-final at Stamford Bridge on May 6.

“Drogba and Bosingwa were facing charges of being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee and by making offensive comments,” read a statement on the UEFA website when they announced the decision.

“Drogba’s suspension applies to the next four UEFA club competition matches for which the player would be eligible, while Bosingwa’s suspension applies to the next three UEFA club competition matches for which the player would be eligible.”

Chelsea crashed out of Europe’s premier club competition after Andres Iniesta’s injury-time equaliser for Barcelona took the Catalans through to the final on the away goals rule.

The Blues had a number of penalty appeals turned down during the match by Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo and Drogba, who had been substituted, came back onto the pitch to harangue the official after the final whistle.