Chelsea vs Benfica: Lightning delays match, Enzo Maresca questions US as Club World Cup host
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca criticized FIFA's decision to host the Club World Cup in the United States after his team's match against Benfica faced a two-hour delay due to lightning on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, making the game last nearly five hours to complete.
The match was interrupted with four minutes remaining in regulation time when fans were instructed to leave the stadium's seating area, marking the sixth weather delay in the tournament's first 50 games.
"If they are already suspending six, seven eight games, probably there is something that is not working well," Maresca said, adding that the United States "is not the right place to do this competition."
Chelsea ultimately secured a 4-1 victory over Benfica in extra time, despite the Portuguese team managing to score an equalizer through a stoppage-time penalty following the lengthy delay.
Chelsea captain Reece James expressed his frustration, stating "had to sit and wait for a long period, and it's quite disruptive."
The tournament has faced multiple challenges, including extreme heat with temperatures reaching nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit at some venues during daytime matches scheduled to accommodate European television audiences.
The expanded Club World Cup serves as a test run for the upcoming 48-team World Cup in 2026, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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FIFA has faced criticism regarding pitch conditions and match scheduling, along with their handling of weather-related interruptions throughout the tournament.
Notably, despite the lightning warning that caused the delay at Bank of America Stadium, no actual rainfall occurred at the venue.
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