Chelsea’s pre-match huddle was interrupted by referee Paul Tierney ahead of their defeat against Newcastle and Gary Neville has hit back at the Blues amid scathing comments from Liam Rosenior
Gary Neville
Gary Neville has shared his verdict on Chelsea's complaints(Image: Getty Images)
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Gary Neville has slammed Chelsea’s complaints over their failed pre-match huddle vs Newcastle as ‘nonsense’. The Blues attempted to get all of their players together at the centre-circle ahead of kick-off on Saturday, only to see their plans foiled by referee Paul Tierney.
The official was stationed in the same spot ahead of the game and refused to move. Giving his take, former Manchester United star Neville claimed the gesture was simply performative anyway.
“I thought it was extremely odd. Really weird," said Neville. "I've never been a fan of huddles.
“If you've prepared for seven months of a season, four days before the game and then you need a huddle 10 seconds before kick-off to talk and motivate each other, you've done something wrong in your preparation.
"No words can help you, in my opinion. No words should be able to help you seconds before a football match. You've done all your preparations. You've analysed the player you are playing against. You know how to create opportunities if you're an attacking player.
"You're in the changing room 10 minutes before you go out. You've said everything. What more can be said in a huddle out on the pitch? It's just for show.
"The fans won't be conned by that. They will judge you on your performance.
"It won't intimidate a good team. It didn't intimidate Newcastle. It's weird to do it in the centre of the pitch. It's like 'what's the most gimmicky thing we can do to make people believe we have team spirit?'
"I think it's a nonsense. The whole thing is a nonsense. Stop doing it."
Chelsea
Referee Tierney got trapped in Chelsea's pre-match huddle(Image: Getty Images)
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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior was not best pleased with Tierney’s actions and confirmed he was set to get in touch with the PGMOL. Speaking after his side’s defeat to Newcastle, he said: "I didn't speak to Paul today or his officials. I thought it wasn't the right thing to do today. But I'll be speaking to PGMOL.
"I'll be speaking to the refs and just trying to get an understanding of why that happened today. We were told in the rule book it's about timing. You can be where you want on timing.
"I just want to find a solution to this because we're actually talking about something that's nowhere near as important as what's happening on the pitch."
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