24 02 2006 Chelsea Barcelona at home
Another day, another poor refereeing decision costs us the game and possibly the tie. I knew it was going to be a bad
day when Chelsea stewards decided to take my flag down from the West Upper because it overhung the bottom of the
tier by 5 inches. It was not obscuring anyone, nor was it obscuring any advertising. The steward I normally speak to was
very apologetic and said it was an order "from above". I didn't know God was part of the Chelsea administrative team,
and it makes me want to turn atheist.
Back to the match.
The atmosphere was phenomenal. There were plenty of neutral fans in the West Upper as per usual. To be honest it
makes no difference to me as the Chelsea fans that usually sit there never sing anyway! I just feel sorry for those who
are genuine Chelsea fans and could not obtain a ticket. I even spoke to two Sunderland fans who had come to watch
the spectacle. Weird!
Up until that incident in the first half things were fairly even. It was certainly the archetypal game of chess that you see in
European competition. The game was limited to few chances.
Then Del Horno clumsily missed the ball and took Messi out. Never a red card in my opinion, but Del Horno should not
have rolled on the ground like a girl. It's bad enough having the press on our backs all the time without this sort of stuff
going on.
Having said that, Messi should not have rolled around on the floor either. Neither should all the Barca players have
rushed towards the incident and surrounded the players.
I am not one to go for these conspiracy theories. Who knows? Some say a non-G14 club will never get fair treatment.
Others would argue that European referees will have it in for Chelsea because, allegedly, Frisk retired due to death
threats from Chelsea fans. It has to be said that last year Drogba did not deserve to get sent off at the Camp Nou, nor
did the ball cross the line at Anfield. This year against Liverpool at home Chelsea were incorrectly called offside three
times and yet the media concentrated on Essien's terrible challenge instead. In any case, it is obvious to see that the
referees in European competition are average at best, and make English referees look exceptional!
Chelsea kept it 0-0 until the break, and after half time I saw one of the best Chelsea performances to date. Unbelievably,
we scored, and Robben skinned their defence alive in what was arguably his greatest performance. Barcelona managed
to get back into it and eventually won. What would have been if the ref had not sent Del Horno off is always going to be
a matter of debate. In any case, the decision was unjust but as we are Chelsea I guess we are never in the right!
I look forward to the return leg in Barca. Barcelona has always been my favourite Spanish team, and probably always will
be. However, the animosity between the sides at the moment is so high that I fear there may be trouble over there.
Last year I was disgusted when Chelsea "fans" pelted the home fans below our end with coins, spit and plastic glasses.
I hope these scenes will not be repeated.
day when Chelsea stewards decided to take my flag down from the West Upper because it overhung the bottom of the
tier by 5 inches. It was not obscuring anyone, nor was it obscuring any advertising. The steward I normally speak to was
very apologetic and said it was an order "from above". I didn't know God was part of the Chelsea administrative team,
and it makes me want to turn atheist.
Back to the match.
The atmosphere was phenomenal. There were plenty of neutral fans in the West Upper as per usual. To be honest it
makes no difference to me as the Chelsea fans that usually sit there never sing anyway! I just feel sorry for those who
are genuine Chelsea fans and could not obtain a ticket. I even spoke to two Sunderland fans who had come to watch
the spectacle. Weird!
Up until that incident in the first half things were fairly even. It was certainly the archetypal game of chess that you see in
European competition. The game was limited to few chances.
Then Del Horno clumsily missed the ball and took Messi out. Never a red card in my opinion, but Del Horno should not
have rolled on the ground like a girl. It's bad enough having the press on our backs all the time without this sort of stuff
going on.
Having said that, Messi should not have rolled around on the floor either. Neither should all the Barca players have
rushed towards the incident and surrounded the players.
I am not one to go for these conspiracy theories. Who knows? Some say a non-G14 club will never get fair treatment.
Others would argue that European referees will have it in for Chelsea because, allegedly, Frisk retired due to death
threats from Chelsea fans. It has to be said that last year Drogba did not deserve to get sent off at the Camp Nou, nor
did the ball cross the line at Anfield. This year against Liverpool at home Chelsea were incorrectly called offside three
times and yet the media concentrated on Essien's terrible challenge instead. In any case, it is obvious to see that the
referees in European competition are average at best, and make English referees look exceptional!
Chelsea kept it 0-0 until the break, and after half time I saw one of the best Chelsea performances to date. Unbelievably,
we scored, and Robben skinned their defence alive in what was arguably his greatest performance. Barcelona managed
to get back into it and eventually won. What would have been if the ref had not sent Del Horno off is always going to be
a matter of debate. In any case, the decision was unjust but as we are Chelsea I guess we are never in the right!
I look forward to the return leg in Barca. Barcelona has always been my favourite Spanish team, and probably always will
be. However, the animosity between the sides at the moment is so high that I fear there may be trouble over there.
Last year I was disgusted when Chelsea "fans" pelted the home fans below our end with coins, spit and plastic glasses.
I hope these scenes will not be repeated.
