Drogba banned for six games
Didier Drogba has been handed a lengthy ban by Uefa
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Wednesday, 17, Jun 2009 10:41
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been handed a six-game suspension from European competition for his part in the Champions League semi-final post-match melee last season.
Drogba will serve a four-match ban immediately, with a further two-game sanction suspended for a probationary period of two years.
Team-mate Jose Bosingwa has been suspended for four matches, the last of which is suspended for two years, for comments he made after the game, which saw Chelsea eliminated on away goals after a 1-1 draw with Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.
As a club, Chelsea have also been fined $100,000 (£85,000) for the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters after the game on May 6th.
In a statement from Uefa's disciplinary committee confirming the punishments, the governing body confirmed the charges were brought as both players were "in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments".
Drogba swore directly into a live TV camera during chaotic scenes at the end of the game, calling Tom Henning Ovrebo "a f***ing disgrace".
The Norwegian official failed to spot as many as five penalty appeals for the home side in the second leg of the semi-final, leading Bosingwa to call him "a thief" in a separate post-match interview.
The Portuguese player later withdrew his comments, saying they had been made 'in the heat of the moment', but he has still been punished heavily by Uefa.
The bans mean both Drogba and Bosingwa will miss Chelsea's first three matches of this season's Champions League group stages, with the Ivorian striker also sitting out the fourth match.
The club and the two players may appeal against the decision within three days.