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Hiddink criticises ref and backs players

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink refused to speculate on a UEFA anti-English bias
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink refused to speculate on a UEFA anti-English bias

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink said it would be impossible to prove claims UEFA did not want an all-English Champions League final.

The London side were furious about a number of what they saw as clear penalties which were not given by referee Tom Ovrebo as Barcelona progressed on away goals thanks to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge achieved with an injury-time leveller by Andres Iniesta.

According to Sky Sports, some of the Chelsea players were speculating afterwards that UEFA wanted to avoid a repeat of last year's all-Premier League final.

Asked about it on Sky Sports 2, Hiddink said: 'You can never prove this but it's just sad and it's out of emotion but if you see five, six situations, not just one...'

Chelsea dominated the semi-final second leg and seemed destined to seal a date with Manchester United for the second year running after Michael Essien's wonder strike, particularly when Eric Abidal was dismissed for a challenge on Nicolas Anelka.

But the referee denied Chelsea a number of spot-kicks for perceived offences including a shirt pull on Didier Drogba and handballs by Gerard Pique and Samuel Eto'o.

Hiddink said: 'We are so disappointed because there are two issues. One is that we could have and should have scored in some open situations and because we talk a lot about the not given penalties.

'Didier's shirt-pulling is okay, we had [Thierry] Henry's situation in Barcelona, okay. But there were three other situations that were so clear. I shall not say what we really feel but it's injustice.

'It's not just that you can be mistaken. It's difficult, for instance, for the red card of Abidal on Anelka - difficult because, I think, Anelka was through, he touched with his left leg Anelka.

'You can discuss these situations for a referee.

'But if you have seen clearly and he was five yards [away], if you have seen clearly the ball on Pique... If he was blocked there is also an assistant referee.

'There's one I think with the shot on Eto'o and he's turning around and you have to have your arms down. Those two situations make you think.'

Meanwhile, Hiddink will back Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba for their over-zealous protests during and after last night's game.

Ballack protested so angrily that he was booked by the Norwegian referee while Drogba, who had been substituted in the second half, appeared from the tunnel to confront Ovrebo after the game.

He was kept away by Chelsea stewards but the Ivorian then yelled 'It's a f****** disgrace' straight down a live TV camera as pandemonium descended on Stamford Bridge.

But with UEFA set to investigate Drogba's behaviour and possibly John Terry's subsequent comments, Hiddink insists he will stand by the Ivorian.

'Of course I can fully understand his reaction - full of adrenaline and emotion,' said Hiddink.

'People say he should be in control. The moment a player starts hitting then he is going beyond where he should go.

'I can understand his emotion and his behaviour after the game. I will protect that.'

But Hiddink admitted he found it hard to remember when he had seen such a poor refereeing performance.

'In big games like this you need top-notch referees who have had big experience in leagues like Spain, Italy, England and Germany,' he added.

'There is an overall feeling of being robbed, injustice. That's why they were so hot and angry and I could understand the emotion of the players.

'Of course the players make mistakes, coaches make mistakes and referees can make mistakes, that's why we talk about giving the benefit of the doubt.

'But if you have seen three or four situations waved away, then it's the worst I have seen.'

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