Chelsea vs Barcelona ref Ovrebo admitted he wished VAR was in use in 2009

May 6, 2022, marks the 13th anniversary of Tom Henning Ovrebo’s infamous refereeing display during the Champions League semi-final second leg clash between Chelsea and Barcelona.

The Norwegian match official’s reputation and career as a top-level ref was left in tatters following that ill-fated evening at Stamford Bridge.

Mention Ovrebo’s name and Chelsea fans will still break out in a cold sweat all these years later.

The night began so well for Chelsea, who were aiming to make back-to-back Champions League finals against Manchester United.

The 2008 finalists took the lead in the ninth minute through a sensational Michael Essien goal but then had a series of penalty appeals waved away by Ovrebo.

On this day: 2009 – Michael Essien scored THIS goal for #Chelsea (vs Barcelona). #CFCDid you ever score a better goal than this one, @MichaelEssien? pic.twitter.com/XZBsu7Tn5N

Eric Abidal was sent off with 25 minutes left to play, making Barça’s task for the night even harder, and Chelsea knew that one more goal would kill the tie.

When Ovrebo waved away another penalty appeal following a clear handball inside the box by Gerard Pique, everyone associated with Chelsea were left fuming.

Then, in stoppage time, Andres Iniesta scored one of the most famous goals in Champions League history from Lionel Messi’s pass.

But there was still time for Ovrebo to wave away one final penalty appeal when Michael Ballack’s shot was blocked by the arm of Samuel Eto’o.

Cue pandemonium.

The chaotic scenes of a furious Ballack chasing Ovrebo around the pitch followed by Didier Drogba screaming down a TV camera: ‘“It’s a disgrace! It’s a f****** disgrace!” will never be forgotten by all those who witnessed the drama unfold.

On this day 2009: Chelsea