Almost nine years on from that infamous Champions League clash between Chelsea and Barcelona, Blues fans have not been able to forget the controversial officiating in that 2009 battle. The London club saw four penalty claims waved away as they crashed as they were denied a spot in the 2008/09 final thanks to Andres Iniesta’s stoppage-time equalizer.
Tom Henning Ovrebo, the referee in that match, became a despised figure. He was chased down the field by Michael Ballack after failing to award a late spot-kick for the Premier League side before being confronted by an angry Didier Drogba after the final whistle.
Now, the retired official has admitted to making several mistakes and playing a key role in Chelsea’s elimination in that semi-final encounter at Stamford Bridge. He made this confession in an interview with Marca.
“They were handball situations. I judged them on the pitch and I think it is not interesting to know what I think of those actions once judged, although I understand that people think differently to the decisions I made at the time. That discussion will continue eternally,” he told the Spanish newspaper.
“I was responsible for the decisions that were made and we can argue that, if I had taken others, maybe Chelsea would have qualified for the final.
“We will never know. I made decisions and they were not the best. But it is difficult to say if, without that arbitration, Barcelona would have been eliminated or not.”
Funny to see Tom Henning Ovrebo give an interview to Marca today about the infamous Chelsea-Barca game in 09. Laughable to see him play it off like a subpar day from him and that "he left the field with dignity." As Drogba famously said that day, "it was a fucking disgrace."
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) February 18, 2018
Ovrebo: "We will never know. I made decisions and they were not the best. But it is difficult to say if, without that arbitration, Barcelona would have been eliminated or not."
— amadí (@amadoit__) February 18, 2018
L O L
Whatever happens next week against Barcelona, I just hope we do not EVER get a referee like Tom Henning Overbro!!! Still cannot believe how he missed 4 certain penalties in that game. Especially the handball from @3gerardpique which everyone in the staduim saw clearly. #CFC pic.twitter.com/sEx3UTz6Zh
— Chelsea FC Fan Club (@ConteBlueArmy) February 15, 2018
That game continues to be one of the most controversial matches in that competition. Ovrebo quickly became enemy number one in west London, being forced to switch hotels for his safety amid death threats.
Receiving help from referees, albeit probably accidental, is a stain on the Blaugrana’s image – hence their “UEFAlona” nickname. Last season’s clash with PSG is just another example of officiating errors playing in their favor. Unfortunately for the English side, the referee nominated to see over Tuesday’s clash already has them worried.
Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir will officiate the first leg between Chelsea and Barcelona on Tuesday. He was the referee the last time the two clubs met, back in a 2-2 draw in the 2nd leg of the semi finals in the 2011/12. #CHEFCB #UCL #CFC pic.twitter.com/dorEwERI9N
— The Blues (@TheBlues___) February 18, 2018
Of all referees, why Cuneyt Cakir again? https://t.co/vdRxtPmztj
— Hassan Mohamed (@Hlooyaan) February 18, 2018
So, Uefalona back in full force. The ref that loves to send off players from English teams will referee Chelsea vs Barcelona. He was the ref in 2012 at the Nou Camp when JT got sent off and we knocked Barca out. Our boys better be careful with any challenges. https://t.co/AcPMQdGh6L
— Younes H-Hamou (@youneshh) February 18, 2018
The last time UEFA was so scared of England in Europe was when 3 English teams were in the semis and they had to do anything to stop and second consecutive all English final. They sent Ovrebo the puppet. Now they send the Spanish-loving Cuneyt Cakir.
— . (@tacticsoftuchel) February 18, 2018
These two sides will lock horns in the Champions League in this season, this time in the round of 16, not the last four. Ahead of the first leg in London on Tuesday, Chelsea fans are demanding a fair game, but only time will tell if a repeat of the 2009 fiasco will occur.
Detil Pertandingan, hasil dan info siaran utama
Pertandingan ini telah usai. Dibawah ini adalah detil siaran langsung asli untuk pertandingan tersebut.
Liputan langsung TV dan streaming di United States
Ikuti pertandingan di perjalanan
Unduh aplikasi iOS dan Android kami untuk mengikutinya soccer di perjalanan dengan dilengkapi oleh fitur-fitur seperti skor terkini, agenda, hasil, klasemen, susunan pemain, statistik, jadwal TV dan masih banyak lagi! Maaf, streaming langsung tidak tersedia dalam aplikasi kami.