Drogba apologises for outburst.5/7/2009 9:03:32 PMStriker Didier Drogba Didier Yves Drogba Tébily (born March 11, 1978 in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast) is a footballer from the Ivory Coast who currently plays for Chelsea FC in the English Premier League. Drogba is the current African Footballer of the Year. has apologised for his behaviour following Chelsea's dramatic Uefa Champions League exit against Barcelona. The Ivory Coast Ivory Coast: see Côte d'Ivoire. captain harangued Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle and then directed a foul-mouthed rant directly to a live TV camera. He was angry at Ovrebo's refusal to award Chelsea any penalties despite strong appeals on four occasions. "I was very upset at what happened during the game, but having seen the pictures on TV I accept that I overreacted," Drogba said in a statement on Chelsea's website. "I also accept that the language I used did not set a good example for those watching at home, especially children," he added on the club's official site. "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." Drogba, booked after the final whistle, came off in the second half with an injury but showed no signs of the ailment ail·ment n. A physical or mental disorder, especially a mild illness. as he confronted the referee and gesticulated at him. Frustration Chelsea also released a club statement saying Drogba's actions were fuelled by frustration after the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw and saw Barca reach the final on away goals. "Chelsea welcomes Didier's statement today which was made honestly and after reflection," the west London West London is the area of Greater London to the west of Central London. Although it is only ambiguously defined, it is one of the most economically active areas of London outside of the centre, containing significant amounts of office space along with Heathrow Airport and many of club said. "We are all acutely aware of the responsibilities that lie with both the club and its players towards setting a good example as role models. "While it is clear that some of the events last night 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." Bosingwa regrets 'thief' comment Chelsea fullback Jose Bosingwa also said he regretted calling the referee "a thief" and retracted re·tract v. re·tract·ed, re·tract·ing, re·tracts v.tr. 1. To take back; disavow: refused to retract the statement. 2. his comments. "We were all very disappointed and frustrated frus·trate tr.v. frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates 1. a. To prevent from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire; thwart: after the game, but I regret describing the referee as a thief. Having had some time to reflect I would like to withdraw those comments," Portugal fullback Bosingwa said in a statement. Tensions were running high at the end of the game after Barca's Andres Iniesta scored in the third minute of stoppage time stoppage time Noun Chiefly Brit same as injury time to level an early goal by Chelsea's Michael Essien Michael Essien (born December 3, 1982 in Accra) is a Ghanaian International footballer. He currently plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League. He is a central midfielder and plays as a deep-lying playmaker for the Black Stars, the Ghana national football team. . Barcelona advanced to the final against Manchester United in Rome on May 27 on the away goals rule after the first leg ended in a goalless draw in Barcelona last week. Aljazeera.net 2003 - 2009 Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
|
||||||||||||

Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion