Matt Hughes
Download 'Too Hot', an exclusive Specials track from iTunes
Didier Drogba's extra-time slap on Nemanja Vidic, a show of petulance that condemned John Terry to taking the ill-fated penalty that would have won the Champions League, is likely to prove his last act in a Chelsea shirt. The club have grown weary of his increasing temper tantrums in recent months, from his unseemly row with Michael Ballack over a free kick in the Barclays Premier League win over Manchester United to his repeated complaints about Chelsea in the French media, and are ready to cash in if they receive a suitable offer this summer.
Drogba's desire to leave has appeared somewhat reduced recently, with the 30-year-old claiming that he is happy in London, but he may even be sold against his will. AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid have expressed interest in a player who is one of the world's most formidable strikers when in the right frame of mind, though that cannot be guaranteed. The Ivory Coast forward has already been fined for claiming that he wants to leave this season and will be docked two weeks' wages for his indiscipline against Manchester United in Moscow.
Terry could also be censured after unconfirmed claims that he spat at Carlos Tévez during the 19-man mêlée that culminated in Drogba's red card. The Chelsea captain has denied the allegations and, with video evidence inconclusive, the matter is likely to come to nothing, though Uefa has the power to take action if it is mentioned in the referee's or match delegate's report and could give Terry a three-match ban from next season's competition. Tévez declined to comment yesterday, but is understood to have told friends and team-mates that he is certain that Terry spat at him.
“The procedure is that we must wait for the report from the referee and the Uefa delegate,” William Gaillard, Uefa's director of communications, said. “If the referee says that he saw the incident and that the player did not attempt to spit, that would be the end of the matter, but if he says he did not see the incident we will go back to the video images.
“If you look at the cases in Euro 2004, when there seemed to be an epidemic of spitting, two players, Francesco Totti from Italy and Alexander Frei from Switzerland, were banned for three matches.”
Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
2008
42850
Car Insurance
£24,250 - £30,346
MI5
London
£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol
Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands
OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities
Completely London
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Nationwide
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
Wow, look at all the racists come out. All the racists who think that to criticize Drogba is racist!
I used to like Drogba and he lost my respect because of his character.
To always call racist anyone who criticises blacks hurts all the black people who have skill and courage and grace.
Tom, oxford,
I find it hard to believe that some of these posts have racist undertones, this has nothing to do with the colour of a mans skin it is about the way Drogba conducts himself that is in question.
Ayo, I suggest you look at how many players with "Black Skin" represent and have represented England!!
Chris, Weston super Mare, England
I think its time to leave Drogba alone; Chelsea lost the final fair and square. I know he sometimes has the tendency to whine and complain over absolutely nothing, but if I was a Chelsea supporter I would be very grateful for his contribution towards the team in the past few seasons.
Masoso, Ballarat ,
I dont understand English press.pernalties are all about luck.JT wont be d first star to miss,he sure wont be d last.If the accord among english press is to rubish Drog,God help EPL.where will chelsea be but for Drog & JT.please we all no you guys hate the black skin but thats where the skills are
ayo, lagos, Nigeria
a lack of respect for other players, petulance from chelsea players seems a common theme, but only natural considering the leadership provided by terry
steve, madrid,
Ed, What a pointless comment, Drogba acts like a spoilt brat, his reactions to Ballack free kick were astounding to say the least, Oh and that is right Ed we tricked the officials into giving us that goal in 66 didn`t we. you really know nothing about football.
Bobby, Inverness, Scotland
leave the racists alone.......drogba got sent of 2 mins to the end of the match after setting up the 1st goal! now he gets all the blame. terry had less than 10 secs to make the winner, and he is a hero. how do you explain than that?
so lopsided set of cowards. without drogba chelase is nothing
richy, UK, UK
This is just racism. We all know that drogba didnt make chelsea loss the final moreso if it were lampard that slapped someone, the press would have investigated what was said to provoke him.
This is bare politics and everyone in the world knows this!
when zidane headbutted someone it was investiged
paul, london, UK
I am a big fan of English football. It's the only League that I like and watch, but recently, I am tired of watching Drogba complaining in every match.
JT, Ashburn, USA
Everybody is sick of Drogba. He is a self important, petulant cheat who plays with no self respect or respect for other players.
I dont know how he looks himself in the face every morning. What happened to the days when men with self respect played the game.
He will not be missed.
john vaughan, London,
Its better to go for Drogba. If he wants to stay at london he may convince Arsene Wenger that he is an innocent player and ask chelsea to change his price tag.
Muhammad Zahid, Lahore, Pakistan
I am all in favor of Didier Drogba. I like him as player and as a person.
I do not like Chelsea; neither do I like English football, if there is such a thing; all foreigners
As for cheating: how exactly did you win the wc in 66 ?
A goal that was no goal helped, didn't it
ed, honolulu,