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Chelsea Alter Pre-Match Huddle After Referee Flashpoint as Rosenior Defends Ritual

Rosenior frames the centre-circle ritual as a show of respect.

Overview

  • Chelsea had been huddling over the ball at the centre spot, which Rosenior says is intended to show respect and unity.
  • Before the March 14 defeat to Newcastle, officials asked Chelsea not to huddle over the ball due to confrontation risk when the opponent takes kick-off.
  • Chelsea proceeded anyway that day, leading to referee Paul Tierney standing inside their huddle in a moment a former referee called the strangest he had seen.
  • For the Champions League tie against PSG on March 17, Chelsea gathered just inside PSG's half and did not surround the ball or the referee, per match reports.
  • Rosenior described the fallout as overblown and said he would welcome a conversation with officials about decisions from the Newcastle match.