Hi °C | Lo °C Chelsea are set to pay a heavy price for their controversial Champions League semi-final exit to Barcelona after UEFA hit the club and two of its top stars with disciplinary charges.
Chelsea were charged with the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by fans while Ivorian striker Didier Drogba and full-back Jose Bosingwa were accused of insulting the referee and making offensive remarks.
Drogba's foul-mouthed TV rant and furious confrontation with Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of the game could now land him with a lengthy ban.
Ovrebo rejected four penalty appeals as the Blues crashed out on away goals after a 1-1 draw and Chelsea's players protested angrily when the official brought the game to its conclusion.
The club, if found guilty, may also be slapped with a massive fine or, in the worst case scenario, be ordered to play some European games behind closed doors. However, it is unlikely they will be banned from next season's competition.
A statement from UEFA said: "UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea FC, Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa in relation to incidents following the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.
"The club are charged with the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters, while Drogba and Bosingwa are accused of being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments.
"The club and the individuals concerned have been requested to file a statement by Friday 29 May."
UEFA's Control & Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on June 17.
Meanwhile, Guus Hiddink is determined to end his league campaign in charge of Chelsea with a victory - even if it sends Sunderland into the Coca-Cola Championship.
The Dutch coach refused to consider the idea of fielding a weakened team even though his side will face Everton in the final of the FA Cup at Wembley just six days later.
Manchester United face Sunderland's relegation rivals Hull with suggestions that Sir Alex Ferguson will rest some of his senior players ahead of Wednesday's Champions League final against Barcelona.
But Hiddink has lost just once in the Barclays Premier since he took over from sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari last February and he is determined to finish with a flourish in the league.
"We're taking every game seriously, even those we play on the Cobham training pitch," said Hiddink. "There won't be many changes to in the previous line-up.
"If we want to play the cup final with our most strong squad, then we must be very careful not to get them injured.
"There's always a risk of injuries but I like my players to be in a good rhythm so I'm not in favour of giving them time off. Their intensity might go down and we'll need that in the final.
"We are thinking of the cup final, that's for sure. But looking at our team and that of Manchester United, if there are changes, the strength of the team is almost on the same level.
"If we make two or three changes the team will still be very competitive whoever plays. I'm not talking for Manchester United, but they can do that too.
"This week we've practised very seriously. I don't want the team to slip away at the end of the season having done what was expected of us in the league in my time.
"It's rather human for sides to slip away in that situation, but we have a big game coming up so we need to physically and mentally very sharp.
"It's up to us to play a serious game. We expect a lot of opposition from Sunderland, of course, so we have to play as we can.
"The teams who are playing on two or three roads, like us and Manchester United, have constructed very competitive squads. So it's not a weakened team that will start.
"United played Everton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and their starting line-up had younger players, but they did very well."
Hiddink will officially return to his main job of coaching Russia after the FA Cup final.
The Dutchman has admitted to having "second thoughts" about staying but now, as his time to leave becomes ever nearer, Hiddink is more philosophical about his spell in charge.
"I worked and am still working with a lot of joy and ambition here," said Hiddink. "If there was no affection or mutual respect whatsoever, it would be easy to go. But, working as I have with so much commitment from the players as well, it's more difficult. But sometimes you have to do difficult things in life.
"Do I have any regrets? No. No. I'm thinking...no, I have no regrets. On the contrary. I've enjoyed it very much."
