Bookmaker Paddy Power has confirmed that three punters backed John Terry's pre-arranged substitution in the 26th minute of Chelsea's final Premier League game of the season against Sunderland on Sunday.
The game was Terry's last league appearance for the club and after the game he told Sky Sports that he had asked to be withdrawn during that specific minute of the game. The former England defender wore that number for the Chelsea during his career with the London club.
Terry left the pitch to applause from his teammates and even opposition manager David Moyes admitted he had "agreed" that the ball would be put out in the 26th minute.
In a statement to Press Association Sport on Monday, Paddy Power said that the odds were requested as part of a novelty bet.
"We replied to a novelty request for odds on John Terry’s substitution – one of hundreds on the Chelsea game – and fair play to the three punters who were on at odds of 100-1," they said.
"To be honest the only mistake here is we should have clocked sooner there’d be another cringe-worthy Chelsea send-off for JT."
The bookmaker accepted bets that he would be taken off between 26:00 and 26:59 in the match and that three punters had backed the bet at the given odds. Terry left the pitch as the clocked ticked into the 28th minute, but still the bookmaker paid out.
PA Sport claim they have spoken to two customers of Paddy Power, who won £2,500 and £1,000 respectively.
"Fixing is arranging in advance the result or conduct of a match of competition, or any event within a match or competition," the FA rules regarding match-fixing state.
There is no suggestion that the gesture was executed for any other reason than to honour the final Premier League game of the defender who made over 700 appearances for Chelsea.
The Long Goodbye: John Terry leaves the pitch to applause from his teammates and the crowd during Sunday's final Premier League game of the season against Sunderland. Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/Press Association Images
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