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General Sports News

Blues made to wait by UEFA

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 08/05/2009

UEFA will decide next week whether to take action against the Chelsea players who confronted the referee following their Champions League exit to the tournament's betting favourites Barcelona.

Striker Didier Drogba was incensed after Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo rejected a number of penalty appeals in their 1-1 semi-final second leg draw with Barcelona on Wednesday which saw the Spanish side progress on the away goals rule.

Midfielder Michael Ballack could also be in trouble after chasing the referee late in the game to remonstrate after he had turned down the fourth penalty appeal of the night, while defender Jose Bosingwa initially labelled the referee 'a thief' before retracting his comments.

Initial reports suggested that UEFA would reveal any punishments on Friday, but a statement has now confirmed that any action will not be taken until they have considered the referee's post-match report next week.

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Manchester United have appealed Darren Fletcher's Champions League red card, but doesn't expect UEFA to overturn the controversial decision.

The Scotland midfielder is set to miss the Final against Barcelona on May 27 following his red card in Tuesday's 3-1 semi-final second leg victory over Arsenal.

Ferguson has suggested that Wes Brown's season is over after the defender suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury.

The 29-year-old has made just two substitute appearances since suffering the original injury in October.

Theo Walcott has handed Arsenal a timely boost by agreeing a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners saw their last chance of silverware this season ended by their Champions League defeat to Manchester United. But Walcott has eased the sense of disappointment after pledging his long-term future to the north London club.

However, Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy will miss the rest of the season due to a back injury.

In rugby union, Tom Shanklin has been ruled out of the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa with a shoulder injury.

The Cardiff Blues and Wales centre requires reconstructive surgery on the shoulder injury he picked up during Wednesday's 26-12 Magners League victory over Newport Gwent Dragons.

Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam has been banned for nine weeks after being found guilty of eye gouging.

The Frenchman will be banned until September 17 following the incident involving Cardiff Blues' Jamie Roberts in the 50-12 EDF Energy Cup Final defeat last month.

Meanwhile, Scotland back Sean Lamont has joined Llanelli Scarlets on a three-year contract after deciding to leave Northampton Saints.

World championship leader Jenson Button was the fastest driver in the first practice session for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix after pledging to remain aggressive in the race for the Formula One title.

The Brawn GP driver, winner of three of the first four races of the season, clocked one minute 21.799 seconds in Catalunya, just ahead of Toyota's Jarno Trulli.

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