Chelsea have opened up their war of words with William Gallas after claiming in a statement that the Frenchman refused to play for the club before threatening to score an own goal if selected.
Champions Chelsea have sensationally taken the unprecedented step of issuing a formal statement to inform the club's supporters of the reasons behind the player's transfer deadline day switch to Arsenal.
It is claimed that Gallas initially refused to play in last season's FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool, which Chelsea lost, and also that the player said he would score an own goal, get sent off or make deliberate errors if selected in the club's opening game of this term against Manchester City.
Gallas made no secret of his desire to quit Stamford Bridge but these latest revelations are sure to stoke up the furore that previously evoked ill-feeling between the player and his manager Jose Mourinho.
"Chelsea believes it is important for our supporters to be made aware of the full facts regarding William Gallas and the lack of respect he showed to the fans, the manager and the club," read a statement on the club's official website.
"Despite leaving he continues to attack Jose Mourinho and this cannot be left unchallenged.
"Chelsea made William Gallas a very substantial and attractive new contract offer to stay towards the end of last season. This was rejected.
"The issue was purely one of money, despite his public comments that he wanted a new challenge, to play abroad and so forth. These were just a smokescreen to cover up the fact he was hawking himself to the highest bidder.
"Having failed to secure his demands, his position became increasingly intransigent and unacceptable.
"He initially refused to play against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final last season in an effort to force an increased contract offer.
"As is now well-documented he refused to join up with the team in Los Angeles during pre-season, despite agreeing the dates for his return as the other World Cup players did, with the club.
"When Jose Mourinho generously offered him a way back into the "family" after the American tour, this was thrown back in the Chelsea manager's face.
"The manager told him that, even if he did not agree a new contract but returned to the "family" and abided by the rules, he would still select the best players available and would not punish him playing-wise.
"However despite meetings to try to resolve the problems Gallas made it clear to Jose Mourinho he would never play for Chelsea again.
"Before the first game of the season against Manchester City, when only four defenders were available and John Terry was doubtful with an injury, he refused to play.
"He went on to threaten that if he was forced to play, or if he was disciplined and financially punished for his breach of the rules, that he could score an own goal or get himself sent off, or make deliberate mistakes.
"Clearly this was a totally unacceptable situation for the manager, the team and the club. So a collectively-agreed solution in Chelsea's interests had to be found, hence his departure.
"Chelsea has a wage structure in place that is valued not only on the contribution of the player to the manager and the team, but also on a player's respect for the club and contribution to the promotion and image of the club off the field. Every player is expected to play their part in this.
"William Gallas rarely recognised these responsibilities. He also failed to recognise the role Jose Mourinho and Chelsea played in helping him become a double Premiership champion for a player whose only league title prior to that had been in the French Second Division."
that's so incredibly awesome
too bad he wasn't selected, could've helped City out a lot 
Champions Chelsea have sensationally taken the unprecedented step of issuing a formal statement to inform the club's supporters of the reasons behind the player's transfer deadline day switch to Arsenal.
It is claimed that Gallas initially refused to play in last season's FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool, which Chelsea lost, and also that the player said he would score an own goal, get sent off or make deliberate errors if selected in the club's opening game of this term against Manchester City.
Gallas made no secret of his desire to quit Stamford Bridge but these latest revelations are sure to stoke up the furore that previously evoked ill-feeling between the player and his manager Jose Mourinho.
"Chelsea believes it is important for our supporters to be made aware of the full facts regarding William Gallas and the lack of respect he showed to the fans, the manager and the club," read a statement on the club's official website.
"Despite leaving he continues to attack Jose Mourinho and this cannot be left unchallenged.
"Chelsea made William Gallas a very substantial and attractive new contract offer to stay towards the end of last season. This was rejected.
"The issue was purely one of money, despite his public comments that he wanted a new challenge, to play abroad and so forth. These were just a smokescreen to cover up the fact he was hawking himself to the highest bidder.
"Having failed to secure his demands, his position became increasingly intransigent and unacceptable.
"He initially refused to play against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final last season in an effort to force an increased contract offer.
"As is now well-documented he refused to join up with the team in Los Angeles during pre-season, despite agreeing the dates for his return as the other World Cup players did, with the club.
"When Jose Mourinho generously offered him a way back into the "family" after the American tour, this was thrown back in the Chelsea manager's face.
"The manager told him that, even if he did not agree a new contract but returned to the "family" and abided by the rules, he would still select the best players available and would not punish him playing-wise.
"However despite meetings to try to resolve the problems Gallas made it clear to Jose Mourinho he would never play for Chelsea again.
"Before the first game of the season against Manchester City, when only four defenders were available and John Terry was doubtful with an injury, he refused to play.
"He went on to threaten that if he was forced to play, or if he was disciplined and financially punished for his breach of the rules, that he could score an own goal or get himself sent off, or make deliberate mistakes.
"Clearly this was a totally unacceptable situation for the manager, the team and the club. So a collectively-agreed solution in Chelsea's interests had to be found, hence his departure.
"Chelsea has a wage structure in place that is valued not only on the contribution of the player to the manager and the team, but also on a player's respect for the club and contribution to the promotion and image of the club off the field. Every player is expected to play their part in this.
"William Gallas rarely recognised these responsibilities. He also failed to recognise the role Jose Mourinho and Chelsea played in helping him become a double Premiership champion for a player whose only league title prior to that had been in the French Second Division."
that's so incredibly awesome
too bad he wasn't selected, could've helped City out a lot 
