Didier Drogba has revealed a word of warning from his eight-year-old son persuaded him to change his on-field conduct.

Drogba earned more than a disciplinary rap from UEFA for his over-the-top protestations against referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after Chelsea's Champions League exit against Barcelona in last season's semi-final: he was also given a carpeting by a disapproving Isaac Drogba.

The Ivorian forward told The Times: "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 game.

"My son was watching with his friends from school and I was embarrassed by my behaviour. The good thing is 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'.

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

"It was really difficult for me 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.

"I'm not a bad guy, I just want to win and sometimes I react."