Chelsea huddle: Blues boss Liam Rosenior blasts referee Paul Tierney over bizarre incident

14 March 2026, 20:44 | Updated: 14 March 2026, 21:36

Liam Rosenior has criticised Paul Tierney after a bizarre incident before Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle which saw the referee end up in the middle of the Blues' pre-match huddle.

Under Rosenior, Chelsea's players have chosen to do their pre-match huddle around the ball on the centre spot. But prior to the game against Newcastle, there was an unexpected guest right in the middle of them.

There were bemused looks on Chelsea faces as Cole Palmer wrapped his arms around Tierney, who smiled back at the England international.

Tierney then remained in the middle of the Chelsea players until they broke their huddle, with Wesley Fofana another to give the official a quizzical look.

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