Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has criticised referee Paul Tierney following a bizarre pre-match incident where Tierney joined the Blues' huddle around the centre spot before their 1-0 defeat to Newcastle. The referee found himself surrounded by Chelsea players, including Cole Palmer, who wrapped his arms around Tierney as the team gathered for their pre-match ritual. The unusual scene left players like Wesley Fofana looking quizzically at the official.

Rosenior revealed that Tierney had brought up the huddle in a pre-match meeting with his assistant, referencing a previous incident at Arsenal where Rosenior complained about opposition staff in Chelsea's half during warm-ups. The manager defended his team's decision to huddle around the ball, stating it was a choice made by the leadership group to show unity and respect for the game. He emphasised that the huddle was not meant to be disrespectful to the opposition.

The controversy overshadowed Chelsea's defeat and Rosenior's frustration over a missed penalty call on Cole Palmer. The manager said he would seek talks with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMO) to understand why the incident occurred and to focus on what matters most - getting decisions right on the pitch.