Guus Hiddink: It was an injustice

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has joined in the criticism of referee Tom Ovrebo and defended his players' over-the-top reactions.

Barcelona snatched a dramatic late equaliser to knock out Chelsea on away goals in the Champions League semi-final second-leg at Stamford Bridge through Andres Iniesta.

Michael Essien had given Chelsea an early lead but the home side had several penalty decisions turned down by the referee. The Chelsea players were outraged at the final whistle and some of them surrounded Ovrebo.

Their manager was equally as disappointed by the performance of the Norwegian officials and felt his side were harshly treated over the course of the 90 minutes.

"I'm very disappointed, it is not easy to analyse the game when adrenaline is still pumping," the Dutchman told Sky Sports.

"We are so disappointed because we have a few issues. Firstly we could, and should, have scored in some open situations and then because we must talk about the not given penalties.

"There were three of four situations that were so clear. I will not say what we really feel, but it is an injustice. We should have scored, though, and had the game already done."

Hiddink refused to concur with the accusations of some of his players that UEFA were determined to ensure there would not be an all-English final for a second consecutive season, but admitted that some decisions on the night had left him baffled.

"You can never prove that, but it is sad," he added.

"It is out of emotion, but there were five or six situations. It is not just one doubtful one. Nevertheless we should have scored in other situations."

The Chelsea coach also leapt to the defence of his fuming stars after their post-match reaction.

"I can fully understand the emotion of the game, as long as they don't literally touch him (the referee)," he said after Didier Drogba, John Terry and Michael Ballack had all confronted the officials.

"I can understand the disappointment. It is not just one decision made in doubt, it is several. I can fully understand and I protect my players and their emotion."