Club World Cup Manager Enzo Maresca lambastes weather postponements and voices doubts over the USA hosting the tournament
Fed-Up Chelsea Boss Slams Club World Cup Organizers, Questions US Hosting After Weather Delay Fiasco
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's current manager, unleashed a scathing critique of the Club World Cup organizers, accusing them of running a joke, following his team's dramatic extra-time win against Benfica in Charlotte, North Carolina, that was disrupted by a two-hour weather delay.
"It ain't football, it's a bloody joke," he told the media following the thrilling 4-1 victory on Saturday. "Seven, eight, nine games they've suspended here. I reckon this ain't the right place for hosting this competition."
Chelsea's match was one of six fixtures called off in five different US cities due to harsh weather conditions. The game was halted in the 85th minute when James' stunning free-kick gave the Blues a 1-0 lead, only to be delayed for one hour and 53 minutes due to looming thunderstorms and lightning threats.
Upon resumption, Benfica managed to equalize through Ángel Di Mariá's penalty in added time, but Chelsea's determination shone through, scoring three goals in less than ten minutes to secure their quarter-final spot. Yet, the prolonged nature of the match overshadowed the final result at the press conference.
"I ain't got a problem with suspending games for security reasons," Maresca continued. "But when you suspend seven or eight games, that's clearly not the right venue to hold this tournament."
FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, has yet to comment on CNN's request for a statement regarding the matter. At the time of the delay, FIFA did issue a statement confirming they followed "the established safety protocols."
However, Maresca made it clear he believed the Club World Cup was a fantastic competition, speaking only as a manager who had struggled to maintain focus amongst his players during the two-hour delay.
"When you're trapped inside for two hours, trying to hold your players' attention, they're communicating with their families for safety reasons, munching on food, fooling around, laughing. It's a challenge keeping them focused," he admitted.
U.S. Media Sources:[1] Yahoo Sports, Chelsea manager Maresca questions Club World Cup host United States after 2-hour weather delay[2] The Independent, Chelsea's Club World Cup last-16 clash against Benfica halted for two hours due to lightning threat[3] CNN, Chelsea manager slams organizers, questions U.S. as Club World Cup host over weather delays[4] Daily Mail, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca questions competition's location over weather delays during Club World Cup
"Given his experiences with the weather delays at the Club World Cup in the United States, Enzo Maresca suggested that football might not be suited for the competition's current hosting location, stating, 'This ain't the right place for hosting this tournament.' He also expressed his frustration by saying, 'It's not football, it's a bloody joke' when referring to the frequent game suspensions due to the harsh weather conditions."
