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Which side of the 'John Terry ceremonial substitution argument' are you on?

Terry was substituted after 26 minutes, having been selected to start the game against Sunderland as captain.
Terry was substituted after 26 minutes, having been selected to start the game against Sunderland as captain. Terry was substituted after 26 minutes, having been selected to start the game against Sunderland as captain.

When it was revealed that Chelsea had not only selected John Terry for their game against Sunderland, but made him captain as well, it sounded like an appropriate send-off for the retiring defender.

But what nobody saw coming was a ceremonial substitution for the former England international in the 26th minute of the game.

Yes, apparently uninjured, the Blues’ number 26 walked off with a guard of honour ushering him from the field in one of the Premier League final day’s more bizarre events.

For some it was a fitting end to a legendary football career – Terry has won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and even a Champions League trophy at Stamford Bridge.

But not everyone was convinced. On the BBC’s Final Score programme, Garth Crooks said: “This is not Hollywood. This is a Premier League fixture… I’m a bit uncomfortable with it to be honest with you.”There will have been some irritated fantasy football managers too, presumably.

It seemed a strange decision from the Premier League champions, who won 5-1.

But as some pointed out, the official time of the substitution was 28 minutes…

Looks like he’ll have to play another season to get it right.