John Terry is unrepentant about the manner of his emotional Chelsea farewell and resulting criticism.
Terry's contrived departure, leaving the field to a guard of honour from his team-mates, was criticised by some pundits.
Further concerns were raised after a bookmaker paid out thousands of pounds to three punters who bet on the specific time of the substitution, which corresponded to Terry's shirt number.
"I couldn't care less, I promise you," the 36 year old said. "All I care about is celebrating with my Chelsea fans. Me and them have a wonderful rapport and have done for 22 years.
"Nothing that people write or say can ever get in the way of that.
"If that's the way I want to go out, that's the way I go out because I've been here 22 years, I've won so many trophies - so if I wanted to play one minute and come off, I would have done.
"I wanted to play 26 minutes because the shirt number means a lot to me and the supporters so as long as they are happy - and I was over the moon with the reception - I promise you I could not care less."
"It was an unbelievable send-off from the supporters to help me to celebrate 22 years at the club," he added.
"I'm very grateful to them, and it was something I will never forget. It was so emotional after the game, I was in bits."
Source: tribalfootball.com