Didier Drogba suspended for Chelsea's next two European matches

Didier Drogba has been given a two-match suspension from European competition as a result of being sent off in Chelsea's Champions League defeat to Internazionale earlier this month. The Ivory Coast striker was dismissed for stamping on Thiago Motta late on in the second-leg of the sides' last-16 tie, which Chelsea went on to lose 3-1 on aggregate. Uefa banned Drogba for four matches last season, when he verbally attacked the referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after Barcelona's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League semi-finals. Two further games were suspended for a probationary three-year period. "The suspension applies to the next two club competition matches for which Drogba would be eligible," read a statement on Chelsea's official website. "The player's existing period of probation, which began on 15 July 2009 and was originally intended to run for two years, has also been extended to 15 July 2013. An appeal may be lodged within three days of the sending of the reasoned decision."