‘A Farce’: Chelsea Coach Criticizes CWC Weather Delays

Frustrations in the Air

In Charlotte, North Carolina, Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca expressed his disbelief over the United States being selected as the venue for the Club World Cup. He labeled the two-hour delay during his team’s round-of-16 match against Benfica as “a farce.”

A Dramatic Match

The Blues advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Benfica 4-1 after extra time, in a match that was marked by the second-longest weather-related stoppage in the tournament’s history. Chelsea was ahead 1-0 thanks to Reece James’ free kick in the 64th minute before Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic halted play due to nearby lightning, with just four minutes left in regulation.

Upon resuming play—by which point a significant portion of the 25,929 spectators had departed—Benfica was awarded a penalty in stoppage time for a handball by Malo Gusto. Ángel Di María converted the penalty, forcing the game into an additional 30 minutes.

After Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni received a red card in the 92nd minute, Chelsea capitalized on the situation, with goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall during extra time. However, Maresca remained frustrated by the logistical issues caused by the weather.

Concerns Over Competition Integrity

This match marked the sixth instance of a weather delay in the Club World Cup. Maresca remarked, “We didn’t concede anything; we created enough chances to secure victory. But after the break, everything changed. To me, this isn’t football. It’s been seven, eight, or nine matches that have been suspended. It’s absurd to be honest; it’s not football. You can’t keep players indoors for that long.”

He added, “While I understand the need for safety, if so many games are being suspended, it raises questions about whether this is the right venue for such a tournament.”

Maresca acknowledged the prestige of the Club World Cup, stating, “It’s a fantastic competition, and we’re thrilled to reach the last eight. However, when you have six or seven games postponed, it’s unusual. In a World Cup, how many games get postponed? Probably none. In Europe, it’s zero.”

He concluded by highlighting the challenges of keeping players focused after two hours inside: “How do you keep them engaged? It’s a joke. We’re grateful to be here, but this situation is far from normal.”