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Chelsea legend Didier Drogba produced one of football's most iconic moments when he shouted 'it's a disgrace' on camera after the Blues' controversial 2009 Champions League semi-final defeat to Barcelona, whilst referee Tom Henning Ovrebo later demanded UEFA allow referees to speak to media
Chelsea face Barcelona in the Champions League with Enzo Maresca's side targeting a victory against the La Liga giants to propel themselves into the knock-out stages.
This fixture holds responsibility for one of the most legendary matches in Champions League history. Back in May 2009, Chelsea drew 1-1 with Barca in what many consider the most contentious 90 minutes of football ever witnessed. Barcelona appeared to receive every favourable decision from referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who became persona non grata at Stamford Bridge.
Ovrebo dismissed four penalty claims from Chelsea, with the outcome ultimately eliminating them from European competition on aggregate. Furious with the official's display, Chelsea icon Didier Drogba delivered a now-legendary moment by bellowing directly into the television camera: "It's a disgrace, it's a disgrace, it's a f***ing disgrace."
Such was the chaos following this encounter, Ovrebo was compelled to switch hotels after the fixture, received death threats and genuinely feared for his personal safety in the subsequent days.
In 2023, the Norwegian official suggested referees should be permitted to address the media post-match. He argued that had he been given the opportunity to clarify some of his controversial decisions from that notorious encounter, the situation might have been somewhat defused.
"It would have been easier, looking at it now, to have a short press conference and talk about the match," he told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "Then it would've maybe quietened down a bit more earlier. I was not allowed by UEFA to talk to the press."
Following his animated protest whilst sporting flip-flops, Drogba received a four-match suspension from UEFA, with Jose Bosingwa copping a three-game ban - one suspended - for branding the official a "thief".
Skipper John Terry also confronted the referee and questioned the decision to appoint him for the fixture.
During 5Live's Focus On Football week in 2023, Ovrebo reflected on the possibility of a press conference.
"One thing is to target me as the referee, and I'm in a way prepared for it, but also when they come to your house, that is not nice," he explained.
"If you had a short press conference or something like that you could explain your experiences, and the different calls you took. That would've been easier.
"Looking at it now I think it would've quietened down some of the noise because the media, and especially the media in England, can be quite harsh.
"In Norway, referees are allowed to talk to the press, we don't have as many problems with openness so that could be something to think about in [other] leagues as well."
In conversation with Marca during 2019, Ovrebo acknowledged his errors: "It was not my best day really. Some days you are not at the level you should be. I can't be proud of that performance.
"There were several errors and everyone will have their opinion of those plays."
Even now, supporters across the internet continue to harbour resentment towards Ovrebo.
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