Drogba apologises for behaviour

Striker Didier Drogba has apologised for his behaviour following Chelsea's dramatic Champions League exit against Barcelona on Wednesday.



The Ivory Coast captain harangued Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle and then directed a foul-mouthed rant directly to a live TV camera.

He was angry at Ovrebo's refusal to award Chelsea any penalties despite strong appeals on four occasions.

"I was very upset at what happened during the game, but having seen the pictures on TV I accept that I overreacted," Drogba said in a statement on Chelsea's website on Thursday.

"I also accept that the language I used did not set a good example for those watching at home, especially children," he added on the club's official site (www.chelseafc.com).

"I regret that in the heat of the moment I let out my incredible frustration and disappointment in this way, and for that I apologise."

Drogba, booked after the final whistle, came off in the second half with an injury but showed no signs of the ailment as he confronted the referee and gesticulated at him.