It's been 13 years since Tom Henning Ovrebo became public enemy number one at Stamford Bridge after controversially waving away four strong penalty shouts as the Blues were dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona - courtesy of a 93rd-minute Andres Iniesta winner.

The image of the Spaniard wheeling away in ecstasy is a memory every Chelsea supporter will have tried desperately to supress, but as far as Ovrebo goes, they've refused to forget.

The Norwegian's blundersome performance sparked all manner of conspiracy theories, and to this day many Blues fans are still convinced of his corruption, but after nearly a decade-and-a-half Ovrebo has finally admitted that he should have awarded Chelsea at least one penalty that night.

"I don't think the Chelsea supporters are correct when they claim four or five penalties, but I think everybody that knows football and the laws of the game knows there should have been a penalty given," he told the Daily Mail.

Michael Essien had given Guus Hiddink's side an early lead with a thunderous volley from the edge of the box, but the visitors only needed to equalise to progress to the final. As such, Chelsea went hunting for a two-goal cushion, but found themselves battling more than just the Barcelona players to get it.

The first penalty appeal came when Florent Malouda was hauled over by Dani Alves just inside the box, though Ovrebo bizarrely decided to award a free-kick instead. Minutes later Chelsea were demanding another when Didier Drogba was wrestled to the ground by Eric Abidal, only for Ovrebo to wave play on.

Tensions began to rise around the ground as both Chelsea's players and fans began to appreciate the delicacy of their advantage - and that tension turned to rage on 80 minutes as Gerard Pique slapped the ball out of Nicolas Anelka's path in the box. Again, no penalty given.

In many ways, Iniesta's last-gasp winner almost felt scripted, particularly after Chelsea were denied another penalty with seconds remaining. Michael Ballack's shot cannoned off Samuel Eto'o's outstretched arm, prompting a volcanic appeal from 40,000 desperate fans, but again, Ovrebo wasn't interested.

The image of Ballack screaming in the official's face, as well Drogba's infamous 'it's a f***ing disgrace' outburst after the match, encapsulated the incredible evening. Chelsea felt as if they'd been robbed in broad daylight, though Ovrebo insists that the players brought it on themselves in some ways.

"In a match like that when you have so many penalty appeals, sometimes as a referee you get concerned about not being fooled by the team. So maybe that could have influenced my perception in a negative way," he said.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/referee-chelsea-barcelona-2009-penalty-26890681

Lalasticlala Mynd44

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Iniesta!!
How could I forget that night. Of course at the time we knew the ref was obviously match fixing Chelsea but did we care? Absolutely not. But anyway, oga ref's career went downhill after that game, so Chelsea fans' curses worked.

Ok

Useless to regret the opprobrious and scandalous display of partiality in that match. And then Chelsea fc paid them back in 2012.

and Baraka are where now since the short scammer waka go PSG

Unpopular opinion:

That referee’s errors denied Manchester United from winning the UCL back-to-back

This is like adding salt to injury but I love the way the writer writes.

Hadley Chase available

The deed as been done already... So it's too late to apologize.... Can he withdraw the trophy from barca and order a rematch.... I don't think so

That's the worst officiating I've ever watched

it wasn't easy...e made mistake n the world av moved on, cnt blame him because he wasnt assisted by VAR n even d linesman no help matters..
that match was so intense in it's better to avoid wat you aint sure about than giving a wrong decision

Help2020:
That's the worst officiating I've ever watched

dt means u never watch football be dt....e full naija league, hand of god was worst than this..

Amotolongbo:
Unpopular opinion:

That referee’s errors denied Manchester United from winning the UCL back-to-back

lolz...back to back fire....dt time wen united see barca for final, fergie mind dey cut..even the cr7 self no help bcoz pep barca was fire

paulolee:

lolz...back to back fire....dt time wen united see barca for final, fergie mind dey cut..even the cr7 self no help bcoz pep barca was fire

The previous final, why didn’t Barcelona make it?
Who ousted Barcelona?

If Overebo hadn’t goofed, Chelsea would have probably qualified for the final instead of Barca.