Chelsea Boss Slams FIFA Over Club World Cup Chaos in USA | OneFootball

Marisca rages over 2-hour delay vs Benfica, calls tournament venue "a mistake"

Chelsea Boss Slams FIFA Over Club World Cup Chaos in USA

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca launched scathing attack on FIFA after his side's chaotic 4 - 1 win over Benfica in the Club World cup Round of 16 calling into question the decision to host the tournament in the U.S.

A Match That Took Nearly 5 Hours!

The game at Bank of America Stadium was dramatically halted for 2 hour due to extreme weather protocols despite no rain falling inside the stadium at the time of the evacuation order. The delay stretched the match duration to nearly five hours.

Chelsea were leading 1 - 0 with just minutes left in regulation before the stoppage but Benfica equalized after the restart.

The game then went into extra time where Chelsea scored 3 unanswered goals to seal their place in the quarter finals against Palmeiras.

"Something's Not Right" - Marisca

In his post match comments, Maresca didn’t hold back:

Players Left Frustrated Too

Chelsea captain Reece James echoed the frustration, telling the Associated Press:

FIFA Under Fire Again

The incident reignites criticism of FIFA’s planning as the expanded Club World cup's seen as dress rehearsal for the 2026 World cup which will be jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.