John Terry, who ended his 22-year run with the current the Premier League champions, had given the idea of 26th minute substitution and both managers agreed to the farce. The 36-year-old also wore the same 26 number shirt.

It took Terry two minutes to leave the field as his team-mates gave him a guard of honour, which meant he did not go off until the 28th minute.

Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford kicked the ball out in the 26th minute after being reminded to do so by a Chelsea player.

Critics suggested the arrangement was akin to a spot-fixing stunt but the Premier League said Terry had not broken any rules.

Betting experts told Sportsmail that even if there had been a gamble on a 26th-minute substitution, bookmakers would not pay out for such a contrived event.

Sunderland boss David Moyes told Dailymail, ‘Diego Costa asked Jordan to kick the ball out. We knew it was happening.’

Terry is not the first to have this treatment in his final game as Didier Drogba's finale at Stamford Bridge set a precedent.

The Ivorian was carried off the turf in the 30th minute of his last game to receive the acclaim of the crowd.