LONDON - Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has revealed that his eight-year-old son Isaac Drogba had reprimanded him for his infamous rant at the referee after his team’s Champions League exit to Barcelona last season.

Drogba had already apologised to the referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, but he says that being shamed by his son increased his determination to alter his behaviour.

“I don’t always worry about what people think, but on this occasion it was really important to come out and apologise because of kids watching the games. My son was watching with his friends from school and I was embarrassed by my behaviour. The good thing was that Isaac came to me and said, ‘It’s not right what you did, Dad, you should have had more penalties, but it’s not right to do that to referees,’ The Times quoted Drogba, as saying.

“I told him never to do what I did. He’s eight and plays for Chelsea Under-9s, but is very different to me. He’s really calm,” he added.

The 31-year-old further said that he is not a bad person as he was portrayed after the incident.

“It was really difficult after the Barcelona game because I made a mistake, but was frustrated that people didn’t understand why I reacted. I apologised and everything, but I also wanted to show I’m not the person people think I am,” Drogba said.

“I’m not a bad guy, I just want to win and sometimes I react. The passion drives me. It’s a part of my behaviour I need to improve, but people are human beings,” he added.

Drogba made his peace with Ovrebo at his UEFA hearing in June, a meeting that played its part in changing his attitude to referees. He also claims to have altered his thinking regarding the other controversy that has dogged him since signing for Chelsea five years ago, the thorny subject of diving. (ANI)