Blues off the hook over Terry’s orchestrated goodbye
LONDON: The Premier League will not investigate the absurd spectacle on Sunday when Sunderland, Chelsea and John Terry colluded to let the departing Blues captain be substituted after 26 minutes — the same number he wears on his shirt.
The idea is believed to have come from Terry and both managers agreed to the farce.
Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford kicked the ball out in the 26th minute after being reminded to do so by a Chelsea player.
It took Terry two minutes to leave the field as his teammates gave him a guard of honour, which meant he did not go off until the 28th minute.
Critics suggested the arrangement was akin to a spot-fixing stunt but the Premier League said Terry had not broken any rules.
Betting experts said that even if there had been a gamble on a 26th-minute substitution, bookmakers would not pay out for such a contrived event.
Sunderland boss David Moyes said: “Diego Costa asked Jordan to kick the ball out. We knew it was happening.”
Terry is not the first to have this treatment in his final game as Didier Drogba’s finale at Stamford Bridge set a precedent.
The Ivorian was carried off the turf in the 30th minute of his last game to receive the acclaim of the crowd. Daily Mail