Didier Drogba on Thursday apologised for angrily confronting referee Tom Henning Ovrebo in the wake of Chelsea's controversial UEFA Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Barcelona.

The striker faces sanctions from UEFA over his conduct, which was aggravated by him seeming to scream obscenities into a television camera at the end of the match. In a statement published on Chelsea's website, Drogba said: "I was very upset at what happened during the game, but having seen the pictures on TV I accept that I overreacted."

I was very upset at what happened during the game, but having seen the pictures on TV I accept that I overreacted.
Drogba on his reaction after the Champions League semi-final second leg

"I also accept that the language I used did not set a good example for those watching at home, especially children," Drogba went on. "I regret that in the heat of the moment I let out my incredible frustration and disappointment in this way, and for that I apologise."

Drogba, who had been substituted in the second half, was shown a yellow card for coming onto the pitch to vent his fury at Ovrebo after the final whistle. The Ivorian striker was incensed at the referee's refusal to award Chelsea two spot-kicks in the first half at Stamford Bridge for what he believed were fouls on Florent Malouda and himself.

The Norwegian official also rejected two handball penalty appeals after the break. That last claim came after Andres Iniesta had lashed home a 93rd-minute leveller for Barcelona to cancel out Michael Essien's opener and put the Catalans into the final on the away goals rule.

Barcelona will face Manchester United in the final in Rome on 27 May.