Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has broken his silence over Chelsea striker Didier Drogba's dismissal on Wednesday night.

Vidic was slapped across the face by Drogba in extra time after he dived in to defend Tevez but admits he does not blame the Blues striker for his reaction.

Vidic, 26, said: "After the throw-in we had to return the ball to Chelsea and we did that by sending the ball again out of play.

"Tevez got pushed for doing that and I immediately came to protect him. I also asked Chelsea's players what is the problem as they previously returned the ball by kicking it out - and I thought Tevez did not do anything wrong.

"The pushing continued then Drogba touched me but I don't blame him. It's a final, a very important game and some players cannot control themselves in similar situations. Maybe my reaction was also bad as I ran half the field to put myself in an awkward situation.

"But now it's behind me - the most important thing is we won the trophy."

Drogba would have taken the all- important fifth Chelsea penalty - missed by John Terry - if he stayed on the pitch.