Just the THREE Wigan links to one of the most bizarre incidents in Premier League history as Chelsea hosted Newcastle United
It was one of the most bizarre scenes in Premier League history - and there were not one but THREE Wigan links attached.
Images of referee Paul Tierney joining in the Chelsea huddle before their clash against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge quickly went viral.
The 45-year-old stood his ground on the centre-spot as the Chelsea side performed their usual pre-match congregation.
And his looks to the camera have already become social media folklore.
England star Cole Palmer jokingly hugged Tierney during the awkward incident.
And Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior says he intends to speak with Professional Game Match Official Limited - the referees' governing body - about Tierney, for failing to award the Blues a penalty for an alleged foul on Palmer dyring Newcastle's 1-0 victory.
"If Paul had focused more on his job, which was to make the right decision, we'd have a penalty today," Rosenior said after the game.
"Before the game we had a meeting with the referee. My assistant goes in and the first thing (Tierney) talks about is our huddle. We're not being disrespectful to the opposition."
Tierney's actions have provoked widespreads condemnation in the game.
Ex-Premier League linesman Darren Cann told BBC Sport he had never seen anything as strange 'in 50 years of watching football'.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett tweeted: “This incident is not funny. It undermines the authority and integrity of the match official. In his pocket is a yellow card, and it should have been out and shown to the captain. Tierney made to look a fool.”
Chelsea's captain is, of course, Reece James, making another Wigan connection.
James, who reportedly helped conceive the idea, said of the practice: "I like to speak to the players right before the first half starts and right before the second half starts. That is the best way I think I can get messages across to them."
But the real mastermind behind the huddle is understood to be Chelsea's new player support and development officer...one Willie Isa.
The same Willie Isa who played for Wigan Warriors for almost a decade with distinction, and is said to have made a huge impact at Stamford Bridge since his arrival just over 12 months ago after retiring from rugby league.
Not that Tierney will be thanking him any time soon.
Mark Clattenburg, writing in the Daily Mail, opined: "The image of Paul Tierney stood in the middle of the Chelsea huddle, looking straight down the television camera lens, was not only utterly bizarre but also a terrible look for the referee.
"Tierney had multiple opportunities to push past the Chelsea players but he just let it happen. From his body language, he looked like he was enjoying it. The referee’s normal position before kick-off is outside the centre circle.
"Liam Rosenior even said Tierney had brought up their huddle in their meeting before the game. He knew they were going to do it. So, why he was so adamant he had to stand there is beyond me. If I’d been a Newcastle player, I’d have been upset and angry at seeing him inside the Chelsea huddle.
"Referees in this country might be incompetent but they aren’t corrupt, yet allowing this to happen can lead to unwanted accusations. Cole Palmer leans in and almost hugs Tierney while it happens, so you have to be aware of the perception it creates.
"Tierney could have avoided all of this by just stepping out of the way or, as soon as he saw the Chelsea players start to surround him, push them out of the way. He was too arrogant to do either."
Speaking on Match of the Day, pundit Joe Hart said: “The huddle is key and Liam Rosenior has talked about it, this just didn’t feel like it should be going on in the Premier League. It felt like some of it could have been addressed before the game, they’ve done it in previous games.
“Paul Tierney’s got a point he wants to make about the opposition having the kick-off, and he feels he should be there to protect the ball in case Chelsea do something about it. Sort it out before the game. We don’t need to be seeing this.”
Fellow pundit Ashley Williams said: “I’m as confused as Cole Palmer is as to why Paul Tierney’s standing over the ball and protecting the ball. We know Chelsea’s doing it, I don’t have a problem with it, do it wherever. But for the ref to stand there just makes a farce of the whole thing.”
TNT Sports commentator Steve McManaman said: “I think it’s ridiculous, to be very honest. Nowadays with the psychological gains to be made, everyone’s coming up with a new silly idea, and this is one of them.”