Liam Rosenior has criticized Paul Tierney after a bizarre incident in which the referee stood in the middle of the Blues’ pre-match huddle before Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.
Under Rosenior, Chelsea’s players opted to huddle around the ball in the center spot before games. But before the game against Newcastle, there was an unexpected guest in their midst.
There was a confused look on Chelsea’s face as Cole Palmer put his arm around Tierney, who smiled back at the England international.
Tierney then remained central until the Chelsea players broke the huddle, and another, Wesley Fofana, also gave the official a quizzical look.
Rosenior revealed that Tierney had brought up the huddle in a pre-match chat with his assistant, but when asked about it after the match he criticized the referee, saying he believed Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty for Nick Waltemade’s challenge on Palmer and that he would seek consultation with the PGMO.
“I’m disappointed,” Rosenior said. “There’s more focus and emphasis on things that don’t matter.
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Ahead of kick-off against Newcastle, a special guest appeared in Chelsea’s pre-match huddle!
“Let me be clear: I want to protect the players. I respect the game. The players have decided that they want to be around the ball, respect the ball and show unity and leadership.”
“It was not my decision. It was a decision between the leadership and the team.
“There is nothing disrespectful to the opposition in what they are doing in that huddle.”
Many things are made using it. To me, it’s a sign of respect. It was unfortunate that the referee stood in the middle. I don’t know. That’s not in the rules. I don’t understand.
Liam Rosenier talks about the Huddle incident
Rosenior added that Tierney had mentioned a past incident in which the Chelsea manager was furious that Gunners staff were in his own half during a warm-up at Arsenal.
“I had a meeting with the referee. My assistant came in and the first thing he talked about was our huddle,” Rosenior said. “When I complained about Arsenal being in our half, he said it wasn’t the goalkeeping coach who was in our half.
“People came to the Arsenal game, I said what I said, we are not disrespectful to the opponent.
“If Paul[Tierney]had been more focused on his job of making the right decisions, we would have been awarded a penalty today. I don’t think anyone in this room can say that Woltemade wouldn’t have kicked Cole Palmer down in the box.”
“So let’s focus on what’s important. Showing team unity is not as important as making the right decisions on the pitch.”
It has nothing to do with me. Don’t worry about that, it won’t help you win or lose the game.
Eddie Howe talks about Chelsea’s huddle
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle
Asked whether he had spoken to Tierney after the game, Rosenior added: “I didn’t speak to Paul today, I didn’t speak to his officials. I didn’t think it was the right thing to do today. But I will speak to the PGMO.”
“I’m just trying to talk to the refs and try to understand why it happened today. The rulebook says timing is key. Timing can get you where you want.”
“I just want to find a solution to this problem, because in reality we are talking about things that are not as important as what is happening on the pitch.”
Sky Sports News has contacted PGMO for comment.
What experts say about the strange gathering incident…
Jamie Redknapp: “A lot of fans want to hug Cole Palmer and he’s had some great hugs there.
Speaking to Daniel Sturridge, he added: “Wait a minute, you’re blaming the referee, what is that? Please explain.
Sturridge: “I don’t know why they’re doing it there (the huddle), but I also don’t know why the referee is there.
Redknapp: “I don’t know, but there’s probably a modern idea that somebody, somewhere, came up with this to give you an advantage. To show that you’re strong or whatever.”
