Chelsea Coach Slams Club World Cup Chaos After Two-Hour Game Suspension

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca criticized the Club World Cup organization after a storm delayed his team’s 4-1 extra-time victory against Benfica by two hours in Charlotte.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Round of 16 match at Bank of America Stadium was paused in the 86th minute with Chelsea leading 1-0 due to lightning, which forced the evacuation of fans. Players waited in dressing rooms for nearly two hours before returning to finish the match. Benfica equalized soon after the restart, sending the match to extra time, but Chelsea eventually triumphed 4-1. The total match duration stretched to almost five hours, highlighting wider concerns about the United States tournament’s logistics and timetable. Maresca angrily stated, “Suspending a game for two hours is not football. This is not acceptable.” He blasted the decision to host the competition in a country where six or more games have already been delayed for similar reasons, calling it “a joke” and “not football” .

THE BIGGER PROBLEMS WITH THE TOURNAMENT

Weather delays and excessive heat have disrupted numerous games throughout the current Club World Cup. The flow of matches is disrupted by frequent weather delays, and players get irritated. Chelsea cruised through Benfica to advance to the quarter-finals. However, supporters are dissatisfied because weather delays have caused matches to go well beyond their scheduled end time. Chelsea, who defeated Benfica in a one-sided match, are storming through to the quarterfinals this season, but their progress has been hampered by the Club World Cup’s numerous troubles. Furthermore, viewing attendance has been lower than expected. Fans have continuously complained about the selection of venues and the reverberations of matches, which were designed to accommodate worldwide television coverage.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CHELSEA AND THE CLUB WORLD CUP?

Chelsea proceed to the quarter-finals, where they will want to avoid controversy. In the meantime, they’ll focus on their Premier League duties. Maresca leads the table after another fantastic performance in their previous match, while tournament organisers address several logistical challenges raised throughout the weeks.