UEFA ‘happy’ final is not an English affair, says Hiddink
The Dutch coach also admitted he still feels “anger and injustice” over their controversial exit to Barcelona in the semi-final.
Europe’s governing body yesterday charged Chelsea with the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by fans amid shocking scenes at Stamford Bridge.
Striker Didier Drogba and full-back Jose Bosingwa were also accused of insulting the referee and making offensive remarks.
Drogba’s foul-mouthed television rant and furious confrontation with Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of the game could land him with a lengthy ban.
Ovrebo rejected four penalty appeals as the Blues crashed out on away goals after a 1-1 draw and Chelsea’s players protested angrily when the official brought the game to its conclusion.
The club, if found guilty, may also be slapped with a massive fine or, in the worst case scenario, be ordered to play some European games behind closed doors. However, it is unlikely they will be banned from next season’s competition.
Hiddink, taking questions from fans on Chelsea TV, rejected a conspiracy theory aimed at preventing a repeat of last season’s final between the Blues and United.
“It is difficult to talk about conspiracy if you have no proof,” said Hiddink. “I am rather human as well and I think UEFA, they will not say it, were very happy there was not an all-English final for the second consecutive time. First of all we should have scored more goals in the home game but besides that I feel the anger and the injustice.
“This was not an inexperienced referee. He had some problems in the past but he was not inexperienced. I do not know what happened that night. I think he had a total blackout that evening. It was not his first big game but it was amazing how he did not react.”
Hiddink also revealed he has rejected invitations to be a TV pundit at the final between United and Barcelona because of the manner of their exit.
“It is still fresh to be honest,” he added. “Next week is the final and I will watch it. Last year I was in Moscow doing some comments for TV and I always did the same in previous years.
“This year they asked me again but I am not going. I don’t have the right feeling to go and sit there and not think about what has gone wrong.”
Hiddink also told callers he was committed to returning to his job with Russia despite many fans asking him to stay. “I have my commitments, bedsides the contracts, to renewing the Russia squad,” he said. “At the end of the World Cup qualification period it would not be fair from my side to say that I am going.
“There is a commitment you give to people and I did that to the Russian players. There is a new generation of Russian players and it would not be fair from my side to say goodbye because I’d like to do another job. I have my commitments to them as well and I want to fulfil them.”
Hiddink is expected to make way for AC Milan’s Carlo Ancelotti and the Dutchman urged the fans to give his replacement the same kind of support.
“Chelsea is a big club and the demands are big,” said Hiddink. “Whoever the manager will handle the pressure. He deserves support from the first day. The people inside Chelsea are preparing for next season. But whoever it is will come into a warm atmosphere and be assisted very well by the staff.”
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