PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor believes the all-too public row which has followed William Gallas' departure from Stamford Bridge has left 'a bad taste in the mouth'.
Following the Frenchman's capital switch from Chelsea to Arsenal, with Ashley Cole going in the opposite direction, the Premiership champions took the unprecedented step of issuing a statement alleging Gallas had threatened to score an own goal if he was selected for their opening game of the season against Manchester City.
The statement also claimed Gallas had told the west London club he would get himself sent off or make deliberate mistakes - and had twice refused to play for the club while in a dispute over his future at the Bridge.
Gallas has since refuted the allegations and described Chelsea of 'lacking class'. The unsavoury conclusion to Gallas' Chelsea career has disappointed Gordon Taylor, who says: "Why do they have to wash their dirty linen in public? I do not see what purpose it serves.
"Talking about someone threatening to put through their own goal is very damaging to the reputation of a player who has done a great job for Chelsea, and you really have to take it with a large pinch of salt.
"We have all seen William Gallas play and he has too much respect for his colleagues to even be thinking about such things. The player has, of course, refuted the allegations and has a choice now of whether to go to court, or to just get on with his football career.
"It just all leaves a bad taste in the mouth and I cannot see what Chelsea were hoping to achieve. Why did Chelsea have to spin things that way? There was no need for them to add fuel to the flames. I feel it is unnecessary.
"It would have been nice to say, 'okay, things did not work out well in the end, we appreciate what you did while you were with us in winning championships and let's move on'."
Taylor added: "Chelsea have now got another good player in Ashley Cole through the swap deal. They should be remembering what William did for the club in winning two championships. No-one should have any complaints and they should all move on."
