Hiddink 'can't prove' Uefa conspiracy theory

Published on Thursday 7 May 2009 00:32

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 to 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."