Should UEFA make an example of misbehaving Blues?

While the world awaits UEFA’s verdict on Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack’s punishment, the media have been making their own suggestions.

Most agree that Le Drog should receive a minimum ban of six European games, which would see him miss the group stages of the Champions League 2009/10. Ex Premier League ref Jeff Winter concurs, adding that Michael Ballack should be ruled out for four games for his ridiculous non-contact pursuit of Tom Henning Øvrebø. His former colleague Graham Poll has also waded in, suggesting a slightly harsher eight to ten matches for the Ivorian and five to six for the German.

The Guardian’s Richard Williams, however, is calling for much more drastic action:

The withdrawal of their invitation to next season’s Champions League, taking tens of millions of pounds in revenue along with it, would soon persuade them to find a way of curbing their players’ excesses, and others would follow their example. If Chelsea’s players and managerial staff are reluctant to abandon the exaggerated sense of grievance instilled and fostered by Jose Mourinho’s regime, they will have to be taught a lesson.

So, should UEFA make an example of the Blues and give them the harshest punishment of all? Or is a brief player ban and a stern ticking off much more appropriate? Let us know your thoughts below…

Indifferent sides can get fourth round out of the way quickly

The FA Cup is set to lose a little bit more of its magic tomorrow as Manchester Utd and Tottenham have both conspired to put out weakened sides for Saturday’s tea time clash.

Both managers have made it clear their priorities lay elsewhere: Fergie wants to concentrate on the league and Champions League, ‘Arry wants to try and make his palyers look like they give a shit. It’s clear that a replay in the event of a draw would be most unwelcome.

Fortnately, referee Graham Poll has come to both side’s rescue by discovering a little-known replay-avoiding loophole:

Having studied the rulebook yesterday, I learned that it is within the regulations of the FA Cup that extra-time can be played in the first tie if clubs have mutually agreed to play the extra 30 minutes should it be necessary.

Permission is not required from the FA, just confirmation of the clubs’ agreement in writing. Then they just need to inform the referee of the agreement.

We can’t think of an instance in which this rule has been invoked (correct us if we’re wrong), but it seems like a good idea in this circumstance.