Audio By Carbonatix
Tom Henning Ovrebo, the referee of the controversial Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona in 2009, has admitted that he made mistakes in the game that denied the Premier League side a place in the final.
Ovrebo found himself at the centre of a firestorm at Stamford Bridge at the end of the second leg three years ago, having rejected four reasonable penalty claims from the home side - then managed by Guus Hiddink - during the 90 minutes, as they eventually went out to Andres Iniesta's last-minute strike.
The Norwegian official was confronted by Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba even before the final whistle, and subsequently received death threats from a section of irate Chelsea fans. Ovrebo has now revealed that he still receives threatening messages, and has admitted that he did not enforce the laws correctly during the game at Stamford Bridge.
"I still get a few death threats, but they go straight into the garbage box. I don't take them seriously, although sometimes I wonder about the people who send them," Ovrebo told The Times. "Just yesterday I got an email from a Chelsea fan saying he wanted to kill me and my family.
"Everyone who knows the laws of the game knows I should have done things differently, but that's the life of a referee. In a strange way, I was actually satisfied with the way we all managed to keep calm in a tense situation."
He added: "On the pitch I did my best. I shouldn't have to apologise as mistakes are part of the game."
Drogba was subsequently given a five-game ban by UEFA for his outburst at the final whistle, with team-mate Jose Bosingwa given a three-game suspension. Ovrebo feels no ill-will towards the Ivorian, however, after the pair reconciled their differences at the disciplinary hearing.
"It was a very challenging match and with the angry scenes after the final whistle it became less enjoyable," Ovrebo noted. "Some players got too emotional and behaved badly, but no one got killed. It's important to put it into perspective.
"It helped me as a referee ... if I can cope with Drogba screaming at me, I can cope with anything - although he's a nice guy, really."
The Blues have the chance to gain revenge on the Spanish club, as they face them in the Champions League semi-finals again this season. The first leg takes place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
The Prosecutor who could not prosecute (A Ghanaian Folktale from the Republic of Uncommon Sense)
14 minutes -
MP urges stakeholders to prioritise education
35 minutes -
Fuel price intervention ‘not a subsidy’ but gov’t taking a hit to protect consumers – Richmond Rockson
35 minutes -
Government to forgo GH¢200m in revenue per pricing window as fuel price cuts take effect
36 minutes -
Tsatsu Tsikata calls for compensation for SALL over 2020 electoral exclusion
36 minutes -
Tsatsu Tsikata says he holds no bitterness over imprisonment, calls for fairness in justice system
37 minutes -
We remain hopeful fuel prices will stabilise or drop – Richmond Rockson
42 minutes -
Ghanaian pastor, 14 others arrested in Canada over alleged homeless fund fraud
45 minutes -
Two suspects arrested over deadly attack on Berekum Chelsea team bus
56 minutes -
Ashanti Regional Minister inspects Common Fund projects in Atwima Kwanwoma
1 hour -
Global climate outlook worrying despite Ghana’s progress – Minister
1 hour -
Bono Minister cuts sod for 24-hour market at Odomase
1 hour -
Cocoa farmers in Guan appeal to government over delayed payments
1 hour -
Licensed Cocoa buyers urge gov’t intervention to ease farmers agitation, threats
1 hour -
Fuel price cuts show Mahama gov’t is people-centred – Richmond Rockson
1 hour