Snubbed: Wayne Bridge dodges John Terry's proffered
hand
John Terry was saved from an embarrassing pre-match
stand-off at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after the handshake
protocol was reversed by the referee.
Assistant ref Bobby Pollock suggested that Mike Dean, the best
official in England on current form, ask Manchester City skipper Shay Given to lead his
away team down the Chelsea line.
In domestic matches, the home team captain should lead his team
down the away team line-up to ‘welcome’ them to their ‘home’.
The result of the change was that Bridge could stay on the move
and avoid the handshake with Terry without an embarrassing
stand-off. Had normal protocol been observed we could have seen
Terry standing in front of Bridge demanding a reaction — nobody
knows what could have ensued.
The match officials’ decision, which spared Bridge that and
allowed him to make his point with dignity and minimum fuss, should
be recognised and acknowledged.
As should Dean’s performance in the match.
The two penalties awarded and two red cards were correct during
an absorbing game.
