Credit: Imago / Sky Sports Premier League

Harri Burton

Mon 16 March 2026 16:30, UK

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Chelsea could face questions from the PGMOL after Paul Tierney was caught in the middle of a pre-game huddle against Newcastle United.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the scenes at Stamford Bridge were no laughing matter on Saturday, 14 March.

Supporters first noticed the huddle in the Blues’ away clash against Aston Villa, with players doing the same this weekend, but on this occasion, the referee was caught in the middle.

Chelsea went on to lose 1-0 to Newcastle, with the only goal coming from Anthony Gordon, but Howard Webb has been left with a mess to clean up, thanks to the pre-game scenes in West London.

Paul Tierney should have shown more authority at Stamford Bridge

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I don’t think this was funny. I think it undermined the match official publicly, with the game being transmitted around the world.

“I was disappointed by Tierney’s reaction. He appeared to be caught by surprise, but he shouldn’t have been because he’s been around for a long time.

“My reaction would have been to get the yellow card out, issuing that to the captain. It seemed a little pre-planned by Chelsea. It was unacceptable.

“I hope that the PGMOL doesn’t see this as an incident to smile about. It’s something they should take up with Chelsea. It comes under the banner of misconduct.”

Reece James was walking a tightrope against Newcastle United

Just days after signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge, it could have been quite the opposite of a day against the Magpies.

Had Tierney booked the captain for the player huddle, he could have easily been sent off in the first half, dragging Malick Thiaw to the ground inside the penalty area at a set-piece.

Hackett told Football Insider that James should have conceded a penalty, but with pulling and grappling continuously ignored in the Premier League, the defender remained unpunished.

The referee made several mistakes during the clash at Stamford Bridge, but his decision not to get out of Chelsea’s pre-game huddle is certainly the one that has caught the most attention.