Mar 14, 2026, 03:42 PM ET
Chelsea surrounded the referee during their pre-match huddle prior to kick-off on Saturday in an extraordinary scene at Stamford Bridge.
Before their Premier League clash against Newcastle kicked off, the Chelsea XI gathered around the centre-circle for their final words before the start of the game.
Chelsea went on to lose 1-0 at the Bridge, courtesy of an early Anthony Gordon strike.
A huddle in the centre of the pitch is a practice that Liam Rosenior’s side have used before games in recent weeks.
But this time referee Paul Tierney was standing on the centre-circle and was subsequently caught in the middle of Chelsea’s huddle, holding the match ball.
It made for a rather amusing but unprecedented scene before kick-off as Chelsea’s players were forced to talk to each other in the huddle across Tierney.
The incident made for some amusing shots for the camera operators at the Bridge. Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Former Premier League referee and ESPN contributor Andy Davies said the incident was not a good look for Tierney or the Premier League.
“The more I watch the pre-match Chelsea huddle with referee Paul Tierney not moving from the centre circle, the less I understand his decision to stay put and not allow them to have their moment,” he told ESPN.
“Tierney would have done his homework, he would have known that the Chelsea ritual was likely to happen, so why did he hold his ground and not take the opportunity to move to a more neutral position?
“The Chelsea players, in fairness, didn’t seem worried by Tierney’s presence, however the optics don’t look great for the PGMOL, Premier League or Tierney raising their profile unnecessarily.”
The quirky new pre-match huddle has become a feature of Chelsea games but boss Rosenior has said that his players took it upon themselves to take to the centre-circle.
“No, it wasn’t [from me]. The idea came from the players, and I really like it because they’re showing unity and togetherness and spirit, and I think you need that,” Rosenior said after his players did the same prior to a win against Aston Villa.
“Before anything, you start talking about tactics or systems, you need a group of players willing to run and fight for each other.”
– Bizarre red card for throwing opponent’s boot away
– Transfer rumors, news: Barcelona eye Chelsea’s Pedro Neto
– Family affair: Lauren James joins Reece with new Chelsea deal