Drogba gets two-match Europe ban

Uefa has banned Didier Drogba for two European matches following his sending off in Chelsea's Champions League loss to Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge. The striker was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Thiago Motta in the 87th minute of the second leg of the last-16 tie, which the Blues lost 1-0.

Uefa also extended Drogba's period of probation by two years until July 2013.

Drogba insisted his stamp on Brazilian midfielder Motta was accidental but referee Wolfgang Stark thought otherwise. "The referee was a bit hard on me for this red card," Drogba said after the match.

"I stepped on his tendon but it was not intentional and I was more focused on the cross and the ball. I'm going to try to make it better. All have been unhappy endings, so I hope next season the Champions League will be mine." Drogba has three days to launch an appeal.