Hiddink: I will back Drogba

uus Hiddink will support Didier Drogba if UEFA decide to punish the Ivorian striker over his post-match misdemeanors.

Drogba confronted referee Tom Henning Ovrebo and he also let loose a foul-mouthed TV rant following yesterday's Champions League semi-final exit

Ovrebo was criticised by both Hiddink and Chelsea captain John Terry after the Norwegian official turned down four penalty appeals by the Blues.

The under-fire referee rejected two in the first half when Florent Malouda and Drogba were hauled down and then he then missed two clear handball offences in the second half.

First Gerard Pique handled as Nicolas Anelka tried to beat him and in the dying seconds, after Andres Iniesta's 93rd minute equaliser, Michael Ballack's shot hit the raised arm of Samuel Eto'o.

Chelsea had gone ahead in the ninth minute when Michael Essien scored with a ferocious 20-yard volley.

But as Chelsea prepared to celebrate a repeat of last year's final against Manchester United, Iniesta scored the vital away goal that takes them to Rome on May 27 instead.

Ballack protested so angrily that he was booked by the Norwegian referee while Drogba, who had been substituted in the second half, appeared from the tunnel to confront Ovrebo after the game.

He was kept away by Chelsea stewards but the Ivorian then yelled "It's a f****** disgrace" straight down a live TV camera as pandemonium descended on Stamford Bridge.

But with UEFA set to investigate Drogba's behaviour and possibly Terry's comments, Hiddink insists he will stand by the Ivorian.

"Of course I can fully understand his reaction - full of adrenaline and emotion," said Hiddink. "People say he should be in control. The moment a player starts hitting then he is going beyond where he should go.

"I can understand his emotion and his behaviour after the game. I will protect that."

But Hiddink admitted he found it hard to remember when he had seen such a poor refereeing performance.

"In big games like this you need top-notch referees who have had big experience in leagues like Spain, Italy, England and Germany," he added.

"There is an overall feeling of being robbed, injustice. That's why they were so hot and angry and I could understand the emotion of the players.

"Of course the players make mistakes, coaches make mistakes and referees can make mistakes, that's why we talk about giving the benefit of the doubt.

"But if you have seen three or four situations waved away, then it's the worst I have seen.

"In the first half you see Malouda was clearly pulled over in the penalty area and the referee had a perfect view on the vertical of the line. You see handball situations and the arms are up not down.

"With Anelka, the hand was lifted by Pique and when the shot came from Ballack, Eto'o lifted his upper arm but they were all waved away."