Blatter calls for professional referees

FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes referees in charge of major matches should come from fully professional leagues in the wake of Chelsea’s controversial UEFA Champions League defeat against Barcelona on Wednesday evening.

The performance of Tom Henning Ovrebo in the second leg of the semi-final at Stamford Bridge – which Chelsea lost due to an injury-time goal from Andreas Iniesta – has led to questions over why a referee from Norway was allowed to officiate such a high-profile match.