When Nani was harshly sent off in the Champions League against Real Madrid last season one furious Manchester United fan dialled 999 to report the crime; and although Arsenal supporters have no justification in complaining with the same voracity, there remains a nagging feeling that Wojciech Szczesny’s sending off against Bayern here — and Fifa’s controversial guidelines for referees — robbed us all in some way or another.

‘Widespread support for Thomas Hitzlsperger from the football community’ ran the headline on one website yesterday, after the former German international and Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton man came out as gay in a newspaper interview.

Ireland boss would do well to follow the example of Germany’s long-time coach, argues Miguel Delaney

Michael Ballack has ended his playing career at the age of 36 after being released by Bayer Leverkusen.

Michael Ballack has ended his playing career at the age of 36 after being released by Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.

Frank Lampard has urged English football to embrace a more German approach ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Michael Ballack has branded Chelsea underdogs in Saturday’s Champions League final but insisted they could “upset the odds” against Bayern Munich.

Tom Henning Ovrebro, the Norwegian referee who was blamed for Chelsea’s Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona in the 2009 semi-final, would be happy to take charge of their European semi-final clash in a fortnight so he can “correct the bad impression from the past’’.

Stephen Ireland was last night linked with a move to MLS side New York Red Bulls at the end of the season.

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack claims there was a plot against him which led to him losing the national team armband.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack has been deprived of a possible start in tonight’s Champions League tie with Barcelona due to an injury picked up in training.

THE doomsayers may warn that Andre Villas-Boas will be out of a job if Chelsea fail to beat Wolves today but the manager insists he retains the complete backing of Roman Abramovich and Chelsea’s players, despite his nightmare start to life at Stamford Bridge.

Andre Villas-Boas today insisted he retained the complete backing of Roman Abramovich and Chelsea’s players, despite his nightmare start to life at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s senior players need to stand up and be counted if the club are to recover from their disappointing start to the season, according to former Stamford Bridge star Michael Ballack.

Petr Cech has delivered a damning assessment of Chelsea’s current failings, pinning the blame firmly on the players and absolving manager Andre Villas-Boas of responsibility.

IF CHELSEA weren’t a club in crisis before last night, they are now.

Bayer Leverkusen 2 Chelsea 1

LIONEL MESSI moved into joint-second place on Barcelona’s all-time goalscoring list as his brace helped the defending champions to a comprehensive Champions League Group H win in Minsk last night.

DAVID LUIZ, the forgotten man of Chelsea’s January transfer spree, ensured it wasn’t all about Fernando Torres as Chelsea scraped past Bayer Leverkusen in their opening fixture of the Champions League; but the Spaniard did at least set up both goals to provide a glimmer of hope that his own luck is about to change.

Chelsea 2 Bayer Leverkusen 0

Andre Villas-Boas rested Chelsea captain John Terry for tonight’s Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge.

Andre Villas-Boas has admitted he will have one eye on Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League showdown at Manchester United when he picks his team for tonight’s Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt was happy with Michael Ballack’s performance against Augsburg in the Bundesliga last night, but claims it does not guarantee him a place in his starting line-up against Chelsea on Tuesday.

Wolfsburg are unlikely to make Michael Ballack their 12th signing of the summer.

Manchester City avoided a group of death in their first Champions League draw but Roberto Mancini’s side still face something of a baptism of fire.

The German Football Federation today announced former captain Michael Ballack would no longer be considered for international duty.

Chelsea captain John Terry does not want manager Carlo Ancelotti to leave the club this summer.

He may not like it but Cesc Fabregas has steered Arsenal to a crossroads.

IF Roman Abramovich is looking for scapegoats for Chelsea’s disappointing season and a painful Champions League defeat against Manchester United — and of course he is — then maybe it is time to look in the mirror and consider his own part in the way the club has disintegrated over the last 12 months.

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI has revealed he tried to offload Didier Drogba while Chelsea manager and confirmed the pair had “conflicts” during his short reign at Stamford Bridge.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed he tried to offload Didier Drogba while Chelsea manager and confirmed the pair had “conflicts” during his short reign at Stamford Bridge.

Germany will be without captain Philipp Lahm and Real Madrid pair Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira for their friendly against Australia on Tuesday.

Referee Mark Clattenburg’s explanation of why he awarded Wigan a free-kick following Wayne Rooney’s clash with James McCarthy yesterday will determine whether the Manchester United striker ends up facing a three-match ban.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND star Aiden McGeady was the hero for Spartak Moscow last night as his 90th-minute equaliser saw the Russians past Basle 4-3 on aggregate.

CARLO ANCELOTTI insists his Chelsea players are not past their sell by date and are as hungry as ever to win silverware.

DIDIER DROGBA admits Chelsea have missed the experience of the players who left Stamford Bridge last summer during their recent miserable run of form.

CARLO Ancelotti woke up in west London yesterday morning and peered under his bed for the black cat he’d trodden on.

Germany captain Michael Ballack will not play again in 2010 after the shin injury he picked up on September 11 emerged to be worse than first thought.

Germany coach Joachim Low has raised doubts as to whether Michael Ballack will ever return to the national team following his latest injury setback.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is convinced the club can this season finally end their Champions League hoodoo.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack faces a six-week injury lay-off after picking up a micro-fracture in his left shin yesterday.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN midfielder Michael Ballack is to remain captain of Germany, coach Joachim Low has confirmed.

Philipp Lahm wants to commit his long-term future to Bayern Munich.

Michael Ballack has warned Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm he fully intends to captain Germany in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.