Chelsea appeal UEFA bans for Drogba & Bosingwa

Chelsea today revealed their determination to stand toe-to-toe with UEFA over the punishments which followed their rancorous response to Champions League defeat at the hands of Barcelona.

Precisely a week after European football's governing body confirmed the Londoners would fight the bans handed out to striker Didier Drogba and right-back Jose Bosingwa, as well as an £85,000 club fine, the Blues revealed the reasoning behind their appeal.
A statement read: "We have today lodged an appeal against the UEFA bans given to Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa, and the fine imposed against the club.
"We believe these punishments are unnecessarily harsh given the circumstances.
"We would reiterate that the players and the club are acutely aware of our responsibilities towards setting a good example as role models and upholding the values of the game.
"That is why honest and sincere apologies were made swiftly after these regrettable incidents occurred.''
On June 17, Drogba was given a six-match ban - the last two suspended for two years - for his foul-mouthed confrontation with referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of Chelsea's 1-1 Champions League semi-final second-leg draw with Barcelona on May 6 - a result which sent the English side out on away goals..
UEFA's control and disciplinary body also handed a four-match ban - the last game suspended for two years - to right-back Jose Bosingwa.
The Portugal defender labelled Ovrebo a "thief'' after the same game, while the club received a fine of £85,000 for the improper conduct of their players and for the throwing of missiles by their supporters.
It all followed a controversial clash in which Ovrebo turned down a number of strong penalty appeals by Chelsea, which may have proved decisive before Andres Iniesta's injury-time decider for the Catalans.
A date for an appeal hearing has yet to be revealed by UEFA.

Rooney vows to replace Tevez and Ronaldo

Manchester United might have lost forward pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez this summer, but Wayne Rooney is vowing to step up and fulfil his attacking potential next season in an effort to lessen the blow.

After admitting he has not been given the chance to shine so far at Old Trafford, Rooney believes he can compensate for the summer exodus of attacking talent from Manchester United and ensure the reigning Premier League Champions retain their title.
''We've lost two key players and obviously I hope we can get a few players in,'' Rooney told The Times.
''Between them Cristiano and Carlos scored a lot of goals for us last season and the season before, but I would like to think I'm capable of filling that gap.
''I've said before that, if I can play in my right position, I'm capable of doing that.''
Rooney has often been asked to operate out wide by manager Sir Alex Ferguson since joining from Everton.
The 23-year-old is adamant that has prevented him from showing his best form on a consistent basis, and believes the time is right to make a permanent switch to the centre.
''I want to play in the position where I feel I'm best,'' he said. ''A lot of people think I'm best as a centre forward.
''To play in a Champions League final and to play week in, week out for Manchester United is a privilege and it's something I'm very lucky to be doing, but I don't think playing on the wing I can express myself as much as I like to.''

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez hopes Samuel Eto'o rejects Manchester City's overtures and opts to stay at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez hopes Samuel Eto'o rejects Manchester City's overtures and opts to stay at the Camp Nou. City are believed to have made a £25million offer for the Cameroon international and are reportedly willing to pay him a staggering £250,000-a-week wage. Barcelona president Joan Laporta had revealed at the weekend that City had made a 'stratospheric offer' for the 28-year-old although Eto'o's agent, Josep Maria Mesalles, insists his client wants to stay at the Nou Camp. Xavi told Sport: "Fortunately there are intelligent people at the club. Last season everything was sorted out well. "We know that he is capable of and this season we have had so much from him, he is a vital player. "I do not know what will happen, but if it was down to the players we would consider him to be the number one priority." Eto'o's agent, Josep Maria Mesalles, had earlier said on ONA FM: "If there is not a 180-degree turnaround then he will stay with Barcelona."

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Beaten but unbowed Bradley hails improving U.S.

USA coach Bob Bradley saw his side throw away a two-goal lead over Brazil in Sunday night's Confederations Cup final - but then warned the world that his men are becoming genuine contenders on the global stage.

The South Americans were in all sorts of trouble less than half an hour into the final at Johannesburg's Ellis Park thanks to goals from Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, and went into half-time trailing 2-0.
But Luis Fabiano halved the deficit almost immediately after the break and then drew his side level with 16 minutes to play, before a late header from Lucio broke American hearts.
''The feeling is of great disappointment, but also of great pride. When we get past the disappointment, we know we are making progress,'' said Bradley.
''We will learn from these kinds of experiences and these kind of games, but it doesn't make it any easier on the night. It's been a experience for our team, playing the teams we played and to get to the final.
''But beyond that, the experience for our players in South Africa has been very special. It's something we'll remember and give us motivation to be back here next year for the World Cup.''
Brazil coach Dunga never doubted his side could stage a rousing comeback.
''To overcome a 2-0 deficit is never easy, but if you have committed players that never give up, you always have a chance and we showed that tonight,'' Dunga said after his team successfully defended the title they won in Germany four years ago.
''I think all the players were still focussed on what needed to be done. Being two goals down after 27 minutes, they were still sure of themselves. We were very determined and simply wanted to win.
''The US has always had a competitive team. They are a very tactical team, very disciplined and very physical team. It's always difficult to beat them.''
Asked about his half-time team-talk, the 45-year-old continued: ''I said to them at half-time that something was lacking. A lack of good positioning, so we corrected that and we started pressurising our opponents, with the reward of a goal by Luis Fabiano.
''I brought on two faster players and we also brought on Elano, a very tactical player, and went forward making use of the wings better and scored.''
Man of the match and player of the tournament, Kaka, was modest after receiving his awards, saying that praise should be given to the whole team.
He said: ''The most important thing as I've always said is to win as a unit. All of that happened and Brazil was the champion.
''If it hadn't been for the team I wouldn't have been the best player or the man of the match.''