Chelsea Head coach Liam Rosenior says he intends to speak to the Professional Game Match Official Limited refereeing body about Paul Tierney positioning himself in the middle of the Blues meeting ahead of Saturday’s game against Newcastle.
Referee Tierney stood over the ball before kick-off but did not move away as Chelsea The players gathered around him for their pre-match meeting, much to the astonishment of some of the Blues’ starting eleven.
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Cole Palmer jokingly wrapped his arms around Tierney before looking quizzically at the official, who simply smiled back at the England international as Trevoh Chalobah and Enzo Fernandez looked on in amusement.
“I will talk to PGMOL and the referees to understand why this happened today,” Rosenior said after 1-0 defeat on Saturday. “We were told that in the regulations you can be wherever you want and it’s a question of timing.
“I’m disappointed. I’ll be clear. I want to protect my players and I’m respectful of the game.
“Before the game we had a meeting with the referee. My assistant comes in and the first thing (Tierney) talks about is our group. We don’t disrespect the opposition.”
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Darren Cann, a former Premier League assistant referee, told BBC Sport he had never seen anything so strange “in 50 years of watching football”.
But Cann was able to shed light on the incident, saying: “As it was NewcastleDuring the kick-off, the referee (took) control of the ball on the halfway line and was there to avoid any potential problems.
“When it’s their kick-off, there is no particular problem. On the other hand, when their opponents have to kick-off, there is a potential for confrontation.”
Newcastle Boss Eddie Howe, meanwhile, said the incident had “absolutely no relevance to me”.
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Howe added: “It didn’t bother me at all. I don’t pay any attention to things like that. It’s not going to help us win or lose the game.”
What is the purpose of the Chelsea caucuses?
ChelseaGroupings seemed frustrating Villa Aston players and supporters during the recent Blues match 4-1 victory at Villa Parkthe home fans booing the visitors during half-time.
Manager Rosenior said on Friday: “There is nothing in this rally that is intentionally going to affect anything to do with the opposition, the fans or anything. It was a decision that was made between the group and the management team on how they wanted to show their unity.”
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Chelsea Captain Reece James, who is said to have come up with the idea, added: “I like to speak to the players just before the first half starts and just before the second half starts.
“I think it’s the best way to send messages to them.”
The Blues’ new ritual follows their previous team-building practice of leaving the pitch together as a group after both halves.
“I really love him,” Rosenior said this month. “First and foremost – before you start talking about tactics or systems – you need a group of players willing to run and fight for each other.
“They’re a good group, they’re a tight-knit group, they enjoy each other’s company and that’s half the battle.”
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