Goal : Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo has admitted he is still the subject of abuse from Chelsea fans after he took charge of their controversial Champions League semi-final defeat to Barcelona in 2009.
The official waved away four penalty appeals for the Blues during the second leg at Stamford Bridge, which saw Pep Guardiola’s side go through on away goals after Andres Iniesta’s late strike earned them a 1-1 draw.
But the big talking point was Ovrebo’s failure to award a penalty despite several strong claims, and the 45-year-old says he is still facing the wrath of Blues fans three years later.
“The abuse has lasted and I get about three to four emails a year,” he told The Guardian.
“It is not nice but nothing too serious, either. I don’t let it upset me or my family. They do not know much about it as I do not show them the emails.
Ovrebo also admitted that whilst he does harbour regrets about that match, he has learnt plenty from the experience.