Former Wales international Ashley Williams says he was "confused" by referee Paul Tierney's position in the centre of Chelsea's huddle ahead of their game with Newcastle.
Tierney was standing over the ball prior to kick-off but did not move away as Chelsea players gathered around him for their pre-match huddle, much to the bemusement of some of the Blues' starting XI.
Cole Palmer jokingly wrapped his arms around Tierney before staring quizzically at the official, who merely smiled back at the England international as Trevoh Chalobah and Enzo Fernandez watched on in amusement.
"I'm as confused as Cole Palmer as to why Paul Tierney is standing over the ball and protecting it," Williams told BBC Match of the Day.
"We know Chelsea are doing it, I don't have a problem with it, do it wherever.
"For the ref to stand in there, it just makes a farce of the whole thing."
Former Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart added he "didn't feel it was something that should be going on in the Premier League."
"It felt like something that could have been addressed before the game, they've done it in previous games," Hart said.
"Sort it out before, we don't need to be seeing this."
