Referee claims he was asked to go easy on Chelsea players

London, Apr 11 (ANI): The referee who officiated in Chelsea's Champions League victory over Liverpool has sensationally claimed that a Stamford Bridge official told him to go easy on three of their players who risked missing next week's second leg if they were booked.

Danish official Claus Bo Larsen spoke out after being approached at a security meeting at Anfield on the morning of last Wednesday's game, when he was informed Chelsea "would not be excited" at the prospect of John Terry, Ashley Cole or Nicolas Anelka being booked.

The Daily Expree reports that Bo Larsen went on to book Terry for a foul on Pepe Reina during Chelsea's 3-1 victory, which means he will miss the return showdown.

He says that he was "shocked" by the conversation, which was overheard by other people at the meeting.

UEFA will be under pressure to launch an investigation into the experienced referee's claims when they return to work after the Easter break.

Chelsea last night admitted they had raised the issue at the meeting, but said it was on behalf of both clubs with Liverpool also having Alvaro Arbeloa and Andrea Dossena one caution away from suspension.

"I've never experienced anything like this," said Bo Larsen.

"When we had a safety meeting on Wednesday morning, a representative from Chelsea said, 'Claus Bo, you should just remember that we have some players who have a yellow card already and we are not so excited if they get one again'."

The organisational meeting is standard procedure and it is understood to be attended by Liverpool secretary Ian Sylvester and Chelsea counterpart David Barnard, Merseyside Police and UEFA officials, including the match delegate. (ANI)