They may have once been on-the-pitch adversaries but it seems that Rio Ferdinand has Gianfranco Zola's back these days, when it comes to what goes on over the white line.
Standing pitchside at Stamford Bridgefor BT Sport, with Jake Humphrey and Harry Redknapp for an interview, Humphrey let the viewers behind the curtain in for details of an awkward encounter with a rather overzealous steward.
Apparently the former Chelsea forward, who won two FA Cups and scored 59 Premier League goals for the Stamford Bridge club, got a little carried away and stepped over the touchline onto the grass, before being told to step back by a man in a tabard.
We've all been there, Gianfranco.
What most of us don't have however,is Ferdinand (presumably irked at not being on the other side of a goodmerking) rushing to our defence.
Humphrey claimed that the incident left the team "reeling" before revealing that Rio had "politelyreminded him [the steward]that Gianfranco Zola owns this football pitch". Ouch.
In the steward's defence, he may have just been trying to prevent the Italianfrom slipping andhurting himself. He does have previous afterall.
He certainly didn't own that pitch, Rio.
Must be the shoes...