Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce has backed Chelsea's players after their Champions League outburst on Wednesday night.

Bruce said: "We're talking about a Champions League semi-final where a team has had to contend with decisions that were unbelievable.

"Those Chelsea lads were sick at missing out on the final in such a controversial fashion.

"Players do get hot under the collar and tempers do get frayed in these circumstances.

"But it was done in the heat of the moment - and we've seen a lot worse."