Drogba banned, Ivorians 'mad'

  1. Posted on Wednesday 17 June 2009 - 22:41
    KingsleyKobo
    Image of KingsleyKobo
    Kingsley Kobo, AfricaNews reporter in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
    Soccer fans in Ivory Coast, the home country of Chelsea's Didier Drogba expressed shock over the decision by UEFA to ban their striker. Fans questioned on the streets of Abidjan deemed the sanction too severe. Some said Drogba and his club had been robbed twice- after being 'robbed' of victory by the referee.
    Drogba
    Didier Drogba, has been banned by European football body, UEFA, for his reaction to Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona. The striker was banned for six games, with two suspended for two years. He verbally attacked the referee, Tom Henning Ovrebo, at the end of the game.

    He and some of his team-mates surrounded the Norwegian as he went down the tunnel, to protest several decisions he took during the game, which saw Barca through to the final.

    Chelsea players believed the referee turned down a host of strong penalty appeals from their side, which could have given them a win.

    Drogba’s team-mate, Jose Bosigwa, was also banned for three European games.

    Chelsea as a club was fined £85, 000 (¤ 99, 900) for improper conduct of its players and the throwing of missiles by its fans after the 6 May match. The club has three days to appeal.

    However, Ivory Coast’s Football Federation (FIF) officials joined by telephone said it was still too early to make a statement.

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