Drogba faces ban over ref confrontation

Didier Drogba could be facing a lengthy ban from European football after angrily confronting Norwegian referee Tom Ovrebo at the end of Chelsea‘s controversial Champions League semifinal second leg match with Barcelona in London on Wednesday.

Chelsea’s Didier Drogba (left) gesturing towards referee Tom Ovrebo (right) after the game against Barcelona in their Champions League semifinal second leg match at Stamford Bridge ... on Wednesday. The match ended in a 1 - 1 draw, with Barcelona qualifying on away goals.

A stoppage time goal from Andres Iniesta earned Barca a 1-1 draw on the night and on aggregate and sent the Catalans into a final meeting with Manchester United at the end of this month on the away goals rule.

Chelsea had legitimate grounds for complaint after being denied at least two good penalty appeals by the referee – who was still considered good enough by UEFA to officiate at last year‘s Euro 2008 championships – but that will not be regarded as any excuse by UEFA when they come to judge Drogba‘s conduct.

Ovrebo had to be escorted from the pitch by a platoon of stewards with Drogba apparently bent on a physical confrontation.

To compound his intimidating behaviour, the Cote d’Ivoire international then turned to a television camera and screamed into it, describing the official as a “fu..ing disgrace.”

Chelsea is also likely to be in hot water with UEFA after infuriated fans threw flags at the officials and the Barcelona bench on the final whistle.