Chelsea stars issued warning

Chief executive Ron Gourlay has read the riot act to Chelsea's misbehaving stars in a tough-talking showdown with the squad at the club's training ground this week.

Gourlay, who was speaking on behalf of the club's owner Roman Abramovich, organised the meeting together with coach Carlo Ancelotti in response to weeks of lurid headlines involving club captain John Terry and his England team-mate Ashley Cole.

Gourlay's speech was followed by a talk from coach Ancelotti, who reminded the squad and the staff of the need to protect the image of the club and said: "We had a meeting this week with the players. It was a good meeting. Ron Gourlay was there as well. We spoke to the players and explained to them the behaviour that is required of the players in this club."

Gourlay reminded the players of their responsibility to protect the image of the club and warned of 'severe disciplinary consequences' should any player step out of line in the future.

The meeting, which lasted around 10 minutes, was the club's response to weeks of headlines that have tarnished the Blues' image and led to Terry being stripped of the England captaincy by national coach Fabio Capello.

The message from Gourlay was blunt and to the point and it was made clear to all the players that the club would not tolerate any further public embarrassment.

Ancelotti added: "Now they know very well what they have to do and what behaviour is expected of them when they're in the Chelsea shirt.

"We are interested, me and the club, in protecting the image of this club. Not only the players and the manager, all the staff - the people who work in this club - have to protect that image.

"That is one of the most important things, the image of the club. We want to carry that forward. And I think the players and all the staff know very well what they have to do. All the players were there. Ron spoke for the club, for the owner, and the players listened.

"It was a private meeting and I don't like to speak about what exactly was said. But, to confirm, the most important thing is that everybody has to pay attention to protect the image of the club."