In his final ever game for Chelsea, John Terry was substituted after 26 minutes - an apparent reference to his squad number - and received a guard of honour from Chelsea's players as he strolled off the pitch to rapturous applause.
It was his idea, apparently, but even before that emerged, thousands of football fans on Twitter tore into Chelsea for the orchestrated nature of the long-reigning captain's withdrawal. This was, after all, a guard of honour in the middle of the game - not even Xabi Alonso or Philipp Lahm received such luxuries during their own emotional send-offs yesterday.
On BBC's Football Focus, Garth Crooks, Martin Keown and Kevin Kilbane were incredulous, suggesting its tarnishing of the integrity of Chelsea's final league fixture might go as far as to warrant a fine from the Premier League.
Other football fans on the Twitter machine were livid at the substitution's piss-taking nature, slagging both player and club for what they perceived to be a contrived and disrespectful nature.
Reaction to John Terry substitution
"This isn't Hollywood - it's a Premier League fixture!"
Not everyone is impressed with Chelsea's send-off for John Terry. #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/VTgpQbLUxt— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 21, 2017
Just realised that John Terry came off to a Guard of Honour in the middle of a game and now I'm trying to clean the vomit off my screen.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 21, 2017
Pity JT wasn't wearing the squad number 2. Would have seen the back of him earlier. Pathetic way to sign off as a Chelsea player.
— David McIntyre (@DaveMcIntyreIRL) May 21, 2017
Yep. That sums up John Terry. pic.twitter.com/2HEb8dY9rx
— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) May 21, 2017
For all that's great and wonderful about football there's sure a load of wank about it as well. John Terry guard of honour being subbed? FFS
— Scottish Footy Cards (@ScotsFootyCards) May 21, 2017
Absolutely cringe worthy from Chelsea & John Terry wanders to the far side of the pitch then substituted on the exact minute as shirt number
— Tim 🏴 (@Tim_Pardoe) May 21, 2017
You genuinely couldn't make it up!
Good lord.#JohnTerry https://t.co/RSidnO55By— Nick Hayward (@n1ckhay) May 21, 2017
John Terry getting subbed off and getting a guard of honour in the 26th minute is beyond embarrassing, get the game won and do it then
— Cuffy 🏴 (@tomcuffy) May 21, 2017
WTF is this guard of honor bullshit for John Terry being subbed mid match? Ref should book ever fucker for time wasting.
Jesus wept— Kevin (@Kevmcg25) May 21, 2017
Jesus what a performance over John Terry. And cynically subbed after 26 mins to milk it.
— Gary Chapman (@Gazby77) May 21, 2017
John terry hahahahahahaha Jesus Christ get on with it
— J 👑 (@DaleyLeftFoot) May 21, 2017
Thoughts on #CFC's John Terry tribute. Arrogant, self-indulgent, disrespectful & a tad embarrassing for JT. #CHESUNhttps://t.co/RO9URRz1hN
— Robert Summerscales (@robsummerscales) May 21, 2017
If it had happened in a football film, you would probably have turned it off for being too corny. Alas, Terry bows out while being perceived as a bit of a plonker by many, which is hardly a new development in his incredibly successful career.
