Desailly explains Monaco actions

The French international was suspended initially for three matches by Uefa for elbowing Monaco's on-loan striker Fernando Morientes in the 3-1 first leg loss at Stade Louis II nearly two weeks ago.

The suspension was reduced to two matches after The Blues appealed to European football's governing body, but the former Nantes, Marseille and Milan man will still miss this week's second leg and the final - should Chelsea overcome Didier Deschamps's side on Wednesday.

In a French television interview, the 35-year-old explained that the elbow he used on Spanish striker Morientes was unintentional.

"It was in the game. I was just trying to get free from Morientes," Desailly told French television programme Telefoot.

"On the whole, I am not a bad boy, a violent player or aggressive."

The veteran centre back also explained his reasons for applauding referee Urs Meier's decision to send off Monaco's Akis Zikos for lashing out at Chelsea team-mate Claude Makelele.

Makelele looked to have feigned injury after Zikos made contact with the former Real Madrid man.

Desailly was then seen applauding Meier's decision to show a red card to Zikos - a gesture that was looked on in disdain by the French Ligue 1 side.

"People asked themselves how a Frenchman could allow himself such a betrayal against a French team - a simulation gesture like that (from Makelele)?" Desailly added.

"If we would have played against a Dutch or German club, it would have not been the case."