Infamous Chelsea v Barcelona official Tom Henning Ovrebo quits international refereeing
The referee who took charge of Chelsea's acrimonious Champions League semi-final exit to Barcelona in 2009 has quit international refereeing.
Norwegian official Tom Henning Ovrebo made his decision after not being picked for this year's World Cup in South Africa.
The 43-year-old hit the headlines when he received death threats after rejecting several penalty appeals by Chelsea in their Champions League clash with the Catalans in the 2008-2009 season.
Controversial: Ovrebo was blamed by Chelsea for their defeat to Barca in 2009
'Tom Henning and his team had a big goal to get to the World Cup but didn't succeed,' Rune Pedersen, the head of Norwegian referees, told Reuters on Friday.
He added that Ovrebo, who has handled 23 Champions League matches since 2001 and numerous internationals including Euro 2008, will be over the age limit for Euro 2012.
The Chelsea match at Stamford Bridge finished 1-1 but Barca reached the final on away goals and British media reported that Ovrebo had to be smuggled out of England under police escort.
Chelsea condemned the threats after the highly-charged game, which was settled by Andres Iniesta's late goal and followed by a confrontation between striker Didier Drogba and Ovrebo.
'He (Ovrebo) has had 16 years internationally... there have been good achievements and some tough matches like Chelsea-Barcelona and Bayern-Fiorentina,' said Pedersen.
'Chelsea have been against other referees as well and they have not always behaved well so if they see this as a victory, I think they are mistaken,' he added.
In this year's Champions League last-16 tie between Bayern Munich and Fiorentina, the Italians protested to the linesman after Ovrebo allowed a Miroslav Klose goal in a 2-1 first leg win which both coaches agreed was several metres offside. Bayern face Inter Milan in the final on Saturday.
- Iker Casillas breaks down in tears in emotional farewell
- Conor McGregor looking wild and ready at fierce UFC weigh-in
- Bastian Schweinsteiger in emotive promo as he leaves Munich
- Louis van Gaal confirms Matteo Darmian arrival at Man United
- Franck Ribery: Bayern team sad to see Schweinsteiger leave
- Micah Richards sings Usher hit during Aston Villa initiation
- Robin van Persie receives heroes welcome at Fenerbahce
- Heartwarming moment baby sees parents clearly for first time
- Shocking new footage of ISIS massacre in Tikrit
- Genesis Rodriguez Gomez collapses during a lift attempt
- Solar cycle: The sun's 11-year heartbeat explained
- Shocking video shows driver barrel into four women
- Morgan Schneiderlin has medical with Manchester United as...
- Manchester United XI: With Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan...
- Bastian Schweinsteiger on way to England to finalise £15m...
- Raheem Sterling on his way to Manchester City after...
- Manchester United confirm Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan...
- UFC 189: Conor McGregor stops Chad Mendes late in second...
- Martin Demichelis marries former Playboy model Evangelina...
- Robin van Persie lands in Turkey as Manchester United...
- Raheem Sterling is leaving Liverpool but his recent...
- Conor McGregor parties the night away after stopping Chad...
- Novak Djokovic crowned Wimbledon 2015 champion with victory...
- Novak Djokovic hails family life following victory over...