Disciplinarian Brych to referee Chelsea clash

German referee Felix Brych will take charge of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge, UEFA confirmed today.

The 36-year-old, who has a doctorate in law, also officiated the Blues’ incredible last-16 second-leg comeback against Napoli.

Brych – who is renowned as a disciplinarian – controversially sent off Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic in the the Barclays Premier League champions’ group-stage fixture with Otelul Galati in Romania.

And he dismissed Peter Crouch for two bookable offences when Tottenham lost 4-0 to Real Madrid in last season’s quarter-final first leg.

Chelsea’s previous clashes with Barcelona since 2005 have been dogged by refereeing controversy.