UEFA to rule on Drogba next week

UEFA said today it will decide next week whether or not to take action against Chelsea striker Didier Drogba for his onslaught on the referee at the end of the Chelsea-Barcelona Champions League tie on Wednesday.

Drogba faces potentially severe sanctions over his furious confrontation of Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovreba after Barcelona's injury time goal sent the London side crashing out of the competition at the semi-final stage.

His case was further aggravated by him screaming into a television camera that the official had been a "fucking disgrace."

A UEFA spokesman said that UEFA has received the referee's report and that the "disciplinary body is examining the referee's report to see if they will open a disciplinary case or several cases."

He added that this decision would be made next week as "they are collecting information and proof."

If the department gives the nod for a probe, a disciplinary committee will then meet to decide which sanctions to impose.

Drogba yesterday apologised for his actions, in a statement published on Chelsea's website, he said: "I was very upset at what happened during the game, but having seen the pictures on TV I accept that I overreacted."