Confusion over stories 

Just after the final whistle last Wednesday, Ovrebo was reported to have admitted to UEFA officials that he made “some grave errors”.  Shortly afterwards, he then claimed that he had been gagged by UEFA from speaking to the press – a claim which was later denied by UEFA.  Therein followed confusion over who had told what to whom, this finally being settled by Ovrebo informing the media that he would still wait until further instructions from UEFA. Well he must have received them, as he has now spoken out for the first time (although he doesn´t really say that much to be honest!):

“I won’t comment on what has happened since Wednesday," said Ovrebo.

“My focus is now on my coming matches in Norway and the future. But since this happened I have been noticed more in the street and people are pointing."

Hand-picked and the Roth factor

It appears that Ovrebo was carefully selected for the return match after Barcelona claimed that the German referee let too much go at the Nou Camp during the first leg and had allowed Chelsea to leave their players bruised and battered.

The UEFA Referees Committee is responsible for selecting referees – a committee headed by none other than Volker Roth, the man who branded Chelsea the “Enemy of football” before the inquiry over the Frisk affair.

This committee has been found to be corrupt in the past, when it was discovered that its members were involved in the German referee betting scandal.  There has been a purge since the corruption was uncovered, but the Chairman of the committee during this time was Volker Roth - Roth has somehow managed to maintain his position as Chairman presumably because he claims he was unaware of what was going on at that time.

 

Ovrebo was an ideal referee for the finely balanced Chelsea Barcelona 2nd leg match as far as UEFA were concerned.

The Norwegian officiated Barcelona’s 5-2 victory over Lyon and had brandished a number of cards to Lyon players.  Perhaps more importantly though, Ovrebo knew he was already on his last legs with UEFA after being sent home early from Euro 2008 when he had admitted that he made some important errors.  Platini and Blatter had made no secret of the fact that they didn’t want an all-English Champions League final.  – Who could be surprised if Ovrebo didn’t want to disappoint UEFA and help deliver the final they craved?

One incident won’t put me off

Despite the controversy, the Norwegian insists he intends to carry on:

"Why do I like football? Why shouldn't I? It's always been part of my life since I was seven — I was playing football since that age so it's hard to stop liking it because of one incident."

“At the moment I'm still very motivated."

Sky analysis of incidents:

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SASM_NzheK0

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAW1Q1kU58I&feature=related  

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Referee Ovrebo plays down Stamford Bridge fiasco

Posted by: 50 Years Over 100 Years (IP Logged)

Date: 13/05/2009 13:15

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Re: Referee Ovrebo plays down Stamford Bridge fiasco

Posted by: Since 66 (IP Logged)

Date: 13/05/2009 18:01

So what is he referring to?

Abidals sending off

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Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free





APRIL 2012

Chelsea v Barcelona

REVENGE AND REDEMPTION - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

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Re: Referee Ovrebo plays down Stamford Bridge fiasco

Posted by: dixon9 (IP Logged)

Date: 13/05/2009 18:09

I think he actually has the front to count the whole match as "one incident"!

It beggars belief!



.

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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

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Re: Referee Ovrebo plays down Stamford Bridge fiasco

Posted by: Since 66 (IP Logged)

Date: 13/05/2009 18:12

So as well as not being able to write properly, he cant count either

---

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free





APRIL 2012

Chelsea v Barcelona

REVENGE AND REDEMPTION - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

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