UEFA reduce Drogba and Bosingwa bans

The pair were handed a four and three match suspension respectively for their actions in the wake of Barcelona's last-gasp progression to the Champions League final at Stamford Bridge in May, after Norwegian referee, Tom Henning Ovrebo, had waved away four penalty appeals by the Blues.

The Ivorian forward was rapped for his foul-mouthed tirade at the match officials that was heard by a worldwide TV audience, while Portuguese full-back Bosingwa was reprimanded following post-match comments about the referee.

However, both have now seen their suspensions reduced by one match each after pleading their cases to a UEFA appeals panel in Nyon, Switzerland on Wednesday.

Drogba will now miss Chelsea's opening three Champions League group phase games, while Bosingwa must sit out the first two.

While Drogba retains a suspended two game ban, should he commit further misdemeanours.

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Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.