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‘Jobsworth’ – Referee criticised for asking Ben Chilwell to walk round pitch despite hamstring injury as Chelsea and England star pictured on crutches ahead of World Cup
Referee Francois Letexier was labelled a 'jobsworth' for asking Ben Chilwell to walk round the pitch following a serious hamstring injury.
Chelsea and England star Chilwell pulled up in the final minute of the Blues' 2-1 victory over Dinamo Zagreb in a Champions League dead rubber on Wednesday night.
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The 25-year-old hit the deck with his head in his hands and immediately looks like a doubt for the World Cup, which begins later this month.
Chilwell appeared distraught and referee Letexier added insult to injury as the Chelsea defender was helped to his feet by medical staff.
Despite being unable to put any weight on his left leg, Chilwell was asked to take the long route round the pitch from the touchline furthest from the tunnel, as UEFA protocol dictates.
The left-back was clearly infuriated and instead decided to wait out the seconds that remained in the match before walking across the pitch.
Reacting on commentary, ex-Chelsea defender Scott Minto said: "I don't know why he can't just walk across the pitch.
"He's just pulled his hamstring and he's expected to walk all the way round the pitch?"
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And talkSPORT's Ian Danter added: "That's really jobsworth from the referee."
Meanwhile, Chilwell was pictured leaving Stamford Bridge on crutches as Graham Potter admitted the injury does not look good.
England manager Gareth Southgate names his 26-man squad on November 10, in eight days, before the group opener against Iran on November 21.
"It's a blow for us on an otherwise positive evening I think. It's a blow to see him pull up like that, it's not a great sight," Potter said.
"So fingers crossed when we get the scan it isn't bad, it can be not severe, but we have to have fingers crossed at the moment. But clearly we're disappointed."
As injuries pile up, it has been suggested that the Premier League CANCEL the last round of games before the World Cup begins.
“The Premier League should do it, or the players should get involved," talkSPORT host Jamie O'Hara said.
“This is the problem with the Premier League. It’s all about money, all about getting the revenue in. The players are not being protected.
“It’s as simple as that. There are too many games and too many injuries and England are going to suffer.”
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