Chelsea’s pre-match huddle ahead of their defeat to Newcastle was interrupted by referee Paul Tierney, with Gary Neville hitting back at the Blues amid scathing comments from Liam Rosenior.
Gary Neville shared his verdict on Chelsea’s complaint (Image: Getty Images)
Manager Gary Neville has branded Chelsea’s complaints about a failed pre-match huddle against Newcastle as “nonsense”. The Blues attempted to gather all players in the center circle ahead of Saturday’s kick-off, but their plans were thwarted by referee Paul Tierney.
The referee had been stationed in the same spot since before the game and refused to move. Former Manchester United star Neville gave his opinion and insisted the gesture was just a performance anyway.
“I thought it was very strange. It was really strange,” Neville said. “I was never a crowd fan.
“If you’ve been preparing for seven months of the season, four days before the game, and then 10 seconds before kick-off you have to talk and huddle to motivate each other, then you’ve done something wrong in your preparation.
“In my opinion, no words can help. No words can help a few seconds before a football match. You have prepared everything. You have analyzed the opponent’s players. If you are an attacking player, you know how to create chances.”
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“You’re in the changing room 10 minutes before you’re sent off. You’ve said everything. What more can you say when you’re gathered on the pitch? It’s just for show.
“The fans won’t be fooled by that. They will judge you based on your performance.
“It doesn’t threaten a good team. It didn’t threaten Newcastle. It’s strange to do that in the middle of the pitch. It’s like, ‘What’s the weirdest thing we can do to make people believe we have team spirit?’
“I think that’s nonsense. The whole thing is nonsense. Please stop it.”
Referee Tierney trapped in Chelsea’s pre-match huddle (Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior is not happy with Tierney’s actions and has confirmed he will be in touch with PGMOL. After his team lost to Newcastle, he said: “I didn’t speak to Paul or his officials today. I didn’t think it was the right thing to do today. But I will speak to PGMOL.”
“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.”
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