Chelsea's John Terry has words with referee Claus Bo Larsen during the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The referee who officiated Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final first leg at Liverpool last Wednesday has said that he was "shocked" to be told by a Stamford Bridge official that the club would not welcome bookings of their players who risked suspension for the return leg.
The Danish referee, Claus Bo Larsen, said that during a security meeting on the morning of the match "a representative from Chelsea said, 'Claus Bo, you should just remember that we have some players who have a yellow card already and we are not so excited if they get one again.'"
Larsen booked the Chelsea captain, John Terry – who now misses the return leg on Tuesday– in the 61st minute at Anfield. Ashley Cole and Nicolas Anelka were also one booking away from suspension. Chelsea admitted raising the issue but said they had not mentioned it solely in relation to their own players and denied any wrongdoing. Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa and Andrea Dossena werealso one card away from missing a game.
"I've never experienced anything like this," Larsen was quoted in the Daily Express. "We were quite shocked. I have been to more than 100 safety meetings and this is the first time I have experienced such a thing. Liverpool and Uefa and other people were there. I responded by saying that, if a player does something for a yellow card, then he gets a yellow card." The safety meeting is also believed to have been attended by the police and Liverpool and Uefa officials.
There was a minor mêlée after Terry's caution, for a foul on the goalkeeper Pepe Reina, and the captain later accused the Liverpool players of deliberately trying to get him booked. "It's very disappointing when fellow professionals ask for the yellow card," he said.
However, Larsen said: "When a player tried to jump after a goalkeeper who has the ball, to prevent the enemy from turning, then he must also pay at a bank. So he received the card anyway."
In a statement Chelsea said: "Uefa organisational meetings are opportunities for all parties to raise valid issues in relation to that day's game. Therefore, it was an appropriate meeting in which to raise the issue of both teams fielding players on yellow cards. Chelsea did not raise the issue solely in relation to Chelsea players."
The Chelsea manager, Guus Hiddink, has warned Manchester United that they could still "stumble" as they pursue a third successive Premier League title. Hiddink's ability to plot a way to victory was displayed in memorable fashion during the defeat of Liverpool. That victory, which turned on the Dutchman's successful deployment of Michael Essien as Steven Gerrard's shadow, has given Chelsea vital momentum as they embark upon their season's run home which starts today when Bolton visit Stamford Bridge.
"When you are on top, as Man United are, and you have a game in hand, it is a luxury. But you must be aware that you can stumble," Hiddink said, before recalling his experience leading PSV Eindhoven to six Eredivisie titles in two tenures at the Dutch club.