Hiddink backs Chelsea players after injustice

New Delhi: Guus Hiddink just about managed to keep his emotions in check after seeing his Chelsea side eliminated from Europe by a late Andres Iniesta stunner.

Michael Essien's early goal looked to be taking the west London side to the Champions League final until the death, when the Spanish side, by then reduced to ten men, found a late away goal.

However, the real talking points of the game were the four or so penalty appeals which Hiddink's troops saw waved away by Norweigian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.

Didier Drogba described the outcome on camera at full-time as "a ******* disgrace." His gaffer didn't go that far, but he was nevertheless far from impressed.

"I'm still very disappointed," Hiddink said to Sky Sports after spending a long time with his players. "It's not easy to analyse the game when the adrenaline is running.

"Regarding the appeals, I won't say what we really feel, but it's an injustice. (Gerard) Pique and (Samuel) Eto'o shouldn't have had their arms up.

"It's sad to see. There's situations like Drogba, who was having his shirt pulled, and Malouda, who was grabbed inside the box (by Dani Alves allegedly). It's also a penalty.

"It's not just one doubtful call. Ask the people who put the referee in charge of this game (about it)."

Chelsea did have other chances, though, and Barcelona's Eric Abidal was sent off, despite making minimal contact as he chased Nicolas Anelka.

"The red card? It was difficult," Hiddink admitted.

"We should have scored from open situations, too."

Ending with a word about the furious conduct of the likes of Drogba and Michael Ballack at the end of the contest, the Dutchman added, "I can fully understand (their reaction) in the emotion of the game. I thank my players for this emotion."

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