The sharp end of the Champions League, those last sixteen head-to-head contests, begin for us next week with the trip to see Jose, once again, and his Inter team, but memories of last season will come flooding back as early as tonight with the news that Tom Henning Ovrebo is to be the referee for the game between Bayern Munich and Fiorentina. Of course, I use the descriptive noun ‘referee’ in the loosest possible way when depicting Blind Tom [as he will always be referred to by Chelsea fans] because ever since his outrageous performance in charge of our match against Barcelona last season there has been more than an element of doubt over his ability to fulfil all the requirements of the job description, let alone warrant any important title, other than perhaps the VIP initials that stand for visually impaired person.

Okay, it’s clear from this opening paragraph that his display at the Bridge still rankles, but it isn’t only the Chelsea fan who relives the nightmare at the mere mention of his name. Apparently the German newspaper Bild have devoted a whole article to the man who will [try to] oversee tonight’s game and it includes a warning that Ribery and Robben should not expect any penalty decisions to go their way, highlighting in particular the shabby treatment dished out to Michael Ballack when he had the temerity to go face to face with the Norwegian over the last of our penalty claims, only to be ignored altogether. Fair enough, it was only after the game that the crowd, UEFA dignitaries and the gathered hordes of media men realised the extent of his visual impairment and it may have been that the guy didn’t actually realise he was being confronted, but then that does beg the question that Bild may not have been putting, but were certainly implying and it is this…

Why, oh why, has the UEFA official been allowed to continue refereeing at what was once recognised as a high level of the game, but is now in jeopardy of being thought of as a second rate stage, influenced by incompetents? The very least expected of UEFA after Ovrebo’s antics in the semi-final last year was the implementation of a suspension and many respected observers were even calling for Tom’s permanent demotion to a lower grade, so obvious were his errors and so devastating the outcome of his decisions. Yet here we are, almost twelve months later, and it is as if nothing untoward had happened, with no UEFA acknowledgement of his unsuitability for the job deemed necessary. Shame on those in authority in Europe who could [and should] have recognised his failure and acted, much in the same way as Premiership referees are disciplined for their clear cut fallibilities in this country.

Didier had two words to describe the whole sorry business and UEFA’s subsequent attitude to last season’s events have proved him to be a shrewd, if somewhat crude, judge in immediate hindsight, whereas UEFA have had plenty of time to reflect and have opted to do bugger all. That’s the main reason why posters like Just and myself poke fun at this competition and do not give it the respect others feel it deserves. It is also why we anticipate that future disappointment in the Champions League for any club, yes, even Chelsea should we progress any further, is but a Tom Henning Ovrebo decision away and, if UEFA does not give a damn, why on earth should we?

Edited February 17, 201016 yr by Dorset

The sharp end of the Champions League, those last sixteen head-to-head contests, begin for us next week with the trip to see Jose, once again, and his Inter team, but memories of last season will come flooding back as early as tonight with the news that Tom Henning Ovrebo is to be the referee for the game against Bayern Munich and Fiorentina. Of course, I use the descriptive noun ‘referee’ in the loosest possible way when depicting Blind Tom [as he will always be referred to by Chelsea fans] because ever since his outrageous performance in charge of our match against Barcelona last season there has been more than an element of doubt over his ability to fulfil all the requirements of the job description, let alone warrant any important title, other than perhaps the VIP initials that stand for visually impaired person.

Okay, it’s clear from this opening paragraph that his display at the Bridge still rankles, but it isn’t only the Chelsea fan who relives the nightmare at the mere mention of his name. Apparently the German newspaper Bild have devoted a whole article to the man who will [try to] oversee tonight’s game and it includes a warning that Ribery and Robben should not expect any penalty decisions to go their way, highlighting in particular the shabby treatment dished out to Michael Ballack when he had the temerity to go face to face with the Norwegian over the last of our penalty claims, only to be ignored altogether. Fair enough, it was only after the game that the crowd, UEFA dignitaries and the gathered hordes of media men realised the extent of his visual impairment and it may have been that the guy didn’t actually realise he was being confronted, but then that does beg the question that Bild may not have been putting, but were certainly implying and it is this…

Why, oh why, has the UEFA official been allowed to continue refereeing at what was once recognised as a high level of the game, but is now in jeopardy of being thought of as a second rate stage, influenced by incompetents? The very least expected of UEFA after Ovrebo’s antics in the semi-final last year was the implementation of a suspension and many respected observers were even calling for Tom’s permanent demotion to a lower grade, so obvious were his errors and so devastating the outcome of his decisions. Yet here we are, almost twelve months later, and it is as if nothing untoward had happened, with no UEFA acknowledgement of his unsuitability for the job deemed necessary. Shame on those in authority in Europe who could [and should] have recognised his failure and acted, much in the same way as Premiership referees are disciplined for their clear cut fallibilities in this country.

Didier had two words to describe the whole sorry business and UEFA’s subsequent attitude to last season’s events have proved him to be a shrewd, if somewhat crude, judge in immediate hindsight, whereas UEFA have had plenty of time to reflect and have opted to do bugger all. That’s the main reason why posters like Just and myself poke fun at this competition and do not give it the respect others feel it deserves. It is also why we anticipate that future disappointment in the Champions League for any club, yes, even Chelsea should we progress any further, is but a Tom Henning Ovrebo decision away and, if UEFA does not give a damn, why on earth should we?

The fella is as bent as Uri Geller's cutlery draw!

good article as usual Dorset, and im not even slightly surprised to see the imbecile still allowed to ref at this level. in fact it wouldnt shock me if he Refs at the World Cup, imagine him ruining Englands chances then we will see if others in this country will feel like we did.

Am pretty sure he is going to the World Cup dkw, which confirms that performance has no bearing on a referees job prospects. Good to know eh.

Am pretty sure he is going to the World Cup dkw, which confirms that performance has no bearing on a referees job prospects. Good to know eh.

He is not going to the World Cup.

He is not going to the World Cup.

Just read the list of the referees in the World Cup and he wasn't on it.

There is a God!

Just read the list of the referees in the World Cup and he wasn't on it.

There is a God!

Might be worth double checking the list, he may be refereeing under his Mr Magoo pseudonym.

I still to this day say that if I would be pissed off had none of our players blown up.

Not only were DD/Bossy in the right when they said what they did, but it shows how much heart and passion they have for the game. You can not go through something like that and not be 110% livid unless you've lost your passion.

I'd like to apologize on the behalf of the nation of Norway for producing such a useless twat of a referee.

what a f**king useless bag of y*d piss....

And would you adam and eve it he actually gave a f**king penalty tonight (when he should have played the advantage because Bayern had gone on to initially score). Robben dispensed the penalty with ease

like i said geezer a bag of y*d piss.

And would you adam and eve it he actually gave a f**king penalty tonight (when he should have played the advantage because Bayern had gone on to initially score). Robben dispensed the penalty with ease

Apparently he just gave Bayern a goal which was clearly an offside.

I'd like to apologize on the behalf of the nation of Norway for producing such a useless twat of a referee.

Signed.

scandal agains fiorentina red card & offside

to much yellov agains Fiorentina

omg i hate platini more than him

they use him when need resultat

I cant believe this portly twat has done it again! Havent seen the game, but from what ive heard, terrible red card decision, and allowed a goal that has could swing the tie!

I would say i'm pissing myself laughing, but for the sake of all the Viola fans I am not. I'm just bemused that this halfwit continues to trot out there with his FIFA badge and his shiny whisle, with the blessing of football's authorities

the gods must be crazy. What a timely thread this is

Edited February 17, 201016 yr by TheWestwayWonder

Might be worth double checking the list, he may be refereeing under his Mr Magoo pseudonym.

you, sir, might have the best user name and avatar on this site. Well done!

ovrebro is crazy good at making me furious...another shocking performance and once again he helps scumbags to get a result. even that c**t beckenbauer admits its not a red card ......

I cant believe this portly twat has done it again! Havent seen the game, but from what ive heard, terrible red card decision, and allowed a goal that has could swing the tie!

I would say i'm pissing myself laughing, but for the sake of all the Viola fans I am not. I'm just bemused that this halfwit continues to trot out there with his FIFA badge and his shiny whisle, with the blessing of football's authorities

the gods must be crazy. What a timely thread this is

Not only did he apparently give a red card that wasn't a red card, he then gave a yellow to a player in the other team that should have been a red.

Surely someone at UEFA should sooner or later realize that maybe this sorry excuse for a human being is totally inept at being a referee?

Or maybe not.

I just hope another player does a Drogba soon (though perhaps not one of our players).

Imagine if we beat Inter and get Ovrebo in the next round.

Imagine if we beat Inter and get Ovrebo in the next round.

Dont say things like this please !

f**king miles offside, both before he got the pass and once he got it and scored, Linesmen f**king right there and didnt even react... Ovrebro and his f**king team should be banned from CL.

f**k me he pisses me off, he is so shiet.

Surely someone at UEFA should sooner or later realize that maybe this sorry excuse for a human being is totally inept at being a referee?

Or maybe not.

It just strikes me that Øvrebø probably is Platini's little personal muppet. He doesn't give a penalty against Barca and gets to referee as much as he wants in Europe.. F#ck UEFA

Ovrebo, hijo de puta !! maricón

Carles! from Barcelona and supporting Chelsea? Amazing! :)

Carles! from Barcelona and supporting Chelsea? Amazing! :)

yesss, i'm from Barcelona, but my team is RCD Espanyol...i HATEEEEEEE FC "FALSE"LONA...

http://www.rs.goal.com/en/news/1716/champi...tom-ovrebo-show

Seems he doesnt have many fans, except for EUFA admin.