Chelsea conspiracy theories linger as UEFA stick by incompetent Ovrebo

The scandal of Tom Henning Ovrebo’s performance as referee in the second leg tie of last season’s Champions League semi final between Chelsea and Barcelona is now complete: he will referee tomorrow’s Juventus v. Bordeaux Champions League game. Hardly a small-time fixture: Ovrebo’s terrible performance back in May has clearly had no bearing on his career development whatsoever.

Ovrebo’s woeful performance at Stamford Bridge, in which he ignored at least three obvious penalties for the home team, could be interpreted in one of two ways: one, that the Norwegian is incompetent or two, that he was acting with some wider agenda.

Let’s remind ourselves how Matt Dickinson of the Times reported Ovrebo’s performance back in May:

“Conspiracy theories flew out of the Chelsea dressing-room faster than you could say Jose Mourinho last night, but there is one simple way of measuring if they are true. Should Tom Henning Ovrebo officiate a match above under-13 level outside his native Norway, then something is rotten at the heart of UEFAs headquarters."

He has a point and, regardless of the accuracy of any conspiracy theory (and they're just theories), something is rotten at UEFA's HQ. The loyalty UEFA have showed the referee in the face of his abject performance at Stamford Bridge serves only to reinforce the perception that UEFA is a corrupt organisation only too pleased to see Chelsea put out of that competition. What other way can its reaction to Ovrebo’s display – or to put it more accurately, its lack of reaction – be explained? We have heard nothing from UEFA to explain their actions – they have only been concerned with punishing Chelsea for the post-match reaction of the players and fans. If UEFA were to come out and say something, everyone would be better informed.

We shouldn’t be surprised. UEFA in no way can be said to represent the best interests of the game’s main stakeholders, the fans. No other business, organisation or governing body could so seriously ignore its customers and expect to survive. Back in June in a post on Ovrebo’s performance I wrote:

“Most crucially, UEFA’s lack of accountability spits in the face of football fans. When Chelsea went out of the Champions League to that late Iniesta goal, it was after a 12 game campaign that saw Blues fans watching 18 hours of football. Supporters going to all the home games would have paid at least £300 (plus programme, food and travel costs). It is an investment of time, money and emotion that was made redundant by a single inept performance of a referee. UEFA would do well to not take that so lightly.”

It seems no-one at UEFA reads this blog. UEFA have made no public recognition of the Ovrebo issue – even just to say that they thought his performance was good enough. Their complete lack of open comment is insulting to anyone who watched the game that night. They clearly feel they are an omnipotent organisation sitting far above reproach or question. Again, this is something I referred to back in June:

“Where am I going with this? If UEFA scrutinise clubs like Chelsea for their actions, they should accept a level of scrutiny themselves. They should be an accountable body, open and willing to look at failings and challenge itself to improve. Perhaps a UEFA statement on a review of Ovrebo’s performance will be forthcoming. But I wouldn’t bet on it.”

I also wrote:

“Drogba called Ovrebo’s performance ‘a disgrace’. It was. But turning to look at the bigger picture, the real disgrace is UEFA’s attitude in their running of the game. There has been no public admission that the referee’s performance was sub-standard and no hint that it has (or will) come under review. Which of us, in whatever walk of life, could make mistakes on that scale without serious repercussions?”

I dearly wish I could bank on the kind of support Ovrebo received from his employer should I make such a big mistake at work. UEFA are propagating a refereeing system that rewards incompetence (or competence at putting Chelsea out, either way). There is no way that Ovrebo should be allowed to referee another Champions League game this season – it’s an unfathomable decision.

I’ll be writing a letter to UEFA to request they let us know how they reviewed Ovrebo’s performance and what the result was. I will also be asking for an explanation as to how he can be back refereeing at the top level so quickly, and I’ll post the letter here for you all to read. I’ll also keep you updated on any response – although UEFA’s track record on supporter relations suggests I’ll receive no reply.

To be clear - my issue is with UEFA, its behaviour and how its lack of openness has a negative effect on football. How scandalous is Ovrebo's quick return to the Champions League?  Post a comment.

You might also be interested to read:

• UEFA's attitude is the real 'disgrace'

Comments

[Lawrence Formosa]

...well said...could not have been said better.....I wait withinterest UEFA's reply which as you rightly said will not be forthcoming...they feel that they are demi gods and should not be replying to us mere mortals.....however the real fault lies closer to home...because the English FA should stand and be counted and defend the interests of its clubs...after all the Champions League is successful because of the money being pumped in by the english tv stations and because of the popularity of the english clubs...period

[nes]

UEFA AND FIFA A WASTE OF TIME anything english they hate.they will not even reply but the fa are no better.it time we had a super league and make football a mans game again.....

[MonikaVa]

UEFA has decided already in September two things, no exclusively English final (if yes, noone in Europe will watch it, mostly noone in Spain of course, hence less sold TV rights) and second ManU-Barca is from the financial and marketing point of view the best final for UEFA(see the Ronaldo-Messi campaign). When Chelsea played nil nil at Nou Camp (worst nightmare for UEFA) it had to be done any other way, enter Ovrebo and no Platini at SB, if something should happen. And happen it did. Ovrebo got his reward, after some quiet around him, he´s got back to refereeing CL and was nominated to referee at WC next year. UEFA has no oversight and it suits them just fine. As long as Chelsea wont have such superstar of the moment as Ronaldo or the same fan following as Barca, there is no way UEFA will ever make a decision in favour of Chelsea.
The only way how get around them, is if they would try the patience of the clubs too much, they would establish their own league without UEFA, but for that they would have to agree on the rules, what is highly unlikely (UEFA is well aware of that)

[Gmah,KENYA.]

thanks 4 heatin tha nail on tha head n a disgrace is wat uefa is.how on earth can they let this street ref' bak 2 aa beautiful show?wen rem' tat game tears almost run down ma chks esp' wen rem' tat em uefa bg names were @ tha Bridge wen al unfolded n gave no sh*t a care afta ba 2 punish us 4 wat stl b'lv was aa players'rytful reaction.

[jk]

A very well written article expressing what all Chelsea and for that matter most people that follow football have been thinking the whole time. It is a shame that chelsea did not take legal action against uefa and it´s officals at the time, any independent referee´s, judges would have at least awarded one penalty to Chelsea that night if not more. Instead we stayed soft and allowd uefa to stamp all over us and maybe it also prompted fifa to throw the book at us as well.. we will over come and win it in a way that nothing they can do can stop us. As for the best match being man u v barca, did anyone not want to see rocky two? same teams i nthe final having a rematch would of sold many tickets and been a tv blockbuster..

[Gaz]

You are a loon,

I wasn't sure which on your inane paranoid ramblings was my favourite but this is a pearl

"It seems no-one at UEFA reads this blog"

Really? No-one in UEFA is monitoring your hysterical rantings, shocking

[Russell Saunders]

Thanks everyone for their comments.

Gaz - cheers for your well put comments too. Just to point out: I certainly wouldn't expect anyone at UEFA (or anywhere, really) to read my blog. This was clearly a tongue-in-cheek remark.

Anyone else think I'm being paranoid? Gaz is right on one thing - it is paranoid to wildly specualte about conspiracies. But surely UEFA should have done more to deal with such a bad performance from a referee?

[Michael Hepp]

I personally am not a big believer in conspiracy theories. I think they are fun to think about but more than likely not true. I do not think Ovrebo was told to have an specific outcome in our game. I think he tried his best. I am not all that upset that he is officiating another game. He needs to earn a living and somebody somewhere must think he's pretty good. And on top of that it may come again that he will be in charge of officiating one of our games again, if not this year then possibly in 2-3 years.

Now....that being said the fact remains it was a HORRIBLY officiated game, and UEFA (or Ovrebo himself) should apologize for the errors made in the game. I would be totally willing to have him come out and say I messed up made some bad calls and I am sorry, but I tried my best. It would be over from my perspective if he did that.

To be fair it is time for all of us to start moving on. We have a good chance to win the CL this year and that is what we should focus on....and also getting rid of this disastrous ban placed on us by FIFA.

[LondonsFinest]

i don't think your post is hysterical or emotional but completely rational and well founded. Firstly, the world and it's mother clearly saw Overbo ignore penalty shouts which couldn't all have been based on false claims. Pique admitted after the game that he played hand to ball, Dermot Gallagher one of Englands top ref's spotted two definite penalties, Spains top ref. claimed there were four. What's amazing is Uefa haven't rviewed Overbo's obvious imcompetence and by not doing so have clearly pointed to the obvious, the referee and officials had a pre determined idea of what they intended to do in if such situations arose. People make mistakes, but it is incomprehensible how one man could get it wrong on at least three occasions and then his employers simply do nothing. Uefa even handed him his report back and asked him to rewrite it! Paddy Power summed it up in the best way possible when they returned all Bets made on Chelsea to win and said the DECISIONS AND THE RESULT WERE A DISGRACE!! Platini it seems has never recovered from losing to English opposition in 1985 and now it's ovious that he operates on from a biased view point after has clearly stated weeks before the Champions league final that he didn't want an all English affair..motive established. His hypocisy has been further highlighted by the fact he hasn't spoken out against the inordinate spending of Real after berating the English spending..all of this during a recession as well and finally he stands up for his old pal Blatter in trying to hurt Chelsea once more and has failed to decry French clubs who have been poaching Africans and Arabs from their native countries before they have even reached puberty. If it looks like shit, smells like shit and tastes like shit! Well it must be shit!!!!
Chelsea have got the old order running scared....may their heads roll for their lack of fair play, honesty and integrity not to mention and allegedly....possible corruption. One day Overbo or one of his ilk will fess up.

[larrimore]

For the fairness of football i would advise referees should be accountable for poor officiating. I don't agree with Cheating in football but the semifinal clash between Chelsea and Barca was a complete night robery. UEFA has not told us how they'll prevent referees from putting up this conspiracy drama, but they've only succeeded in showing how they'll crackdown on players and fans behavoiur. I feel this will only change when a serious incident happens to a referee with an unfair officaiting.

[Chelsea-Alan]

One point that you forgot to mention in your excellent article is that Platini's openly admitted favourate football club (should he have one in his position) is Juventus! He played for them and sees them as a resurgent force this season with their new summer signings. You could have read recently his gushing comments on the Football Italia site about his favourite club. Coincidence that Ovrebo is in charge of the Juve game? I think not. Put your money on the Italian team to go through, they have 'friends' in high places but with low morals...

[Anthony Calleja]

Well said Russell and its good to see and read your words and see that its not just me thinking and saying these things but you too and all other Chelsea fans like us. The only other point I will add Russell is to prove that Uefa, Fifa, Platini and Blatter have an anti-Chelsea and anti-English agenda is to see the different responses of them to Ovrebo when he dared to disallow a goal for Italy against Rumania in The European Cup.....he was sent back home. When he shafted our Chelsea so grossly that even a caveman would notice it, no response, no investigation whatsoever while on the other hand investigating every which way but loose our Chelsea and our heroic warriors in blue and punishing us even further. As if stealing the Champions League from us was not more than enough pain. And now today we will see what happens if Ovrebo makes more of his stuff in the Juventus vs Bordeaux match. You can be sure that if he shafts Bordeaux nothing will happen but if he shafts Juventus; Platini's old team and the team in his vile heart, you can be sure that Ovrebo will be sent to the stalags in Siberia. Platini and Blatter are coming to Malta where I live and I as a Chelsea fan forever, would like to make sure there are Chelsea fans here who do not wish them to be here

[Gee Stylee]

I can't believe Ovrebo was allowed to referee in a UCL game, this clown should not even be eligible for jobseekers allowence.

[david sutherland]

reading all this puts a lump in my throat.The lads played so well and deserved that game.never mind the ovrebo but drogba gettin in trouble and nothin happing to ovrebo.Yes his reaction might of been wrong in uefa books.but look at the situation.To be fair if drogba is punnished so must ovrebo.Drogba was only acting on the feelins of his team mates and fustration.look at the hole picture and be fair.now ovrebo still reffing cl games.makes me sick and think that all is fixed point blank

[Pushkar]

This article is AMAZING..I must say that the writer is gifted..Chelsea is a beautiful club and it did not deserve this..
SURELY THE BLUES WILL BOUNCE BACK AND SMASH THEIR CRITICS VY WINNING ALL COMPETIEIONS ENTERED!
Remember OVREBO-WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND..