FIFA Club World Cup final descends into chaos as Donald Trump gatecrashes
Chelsea's splendid 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final was unexpectedly overshadowed by an audacious appearance from Donald Trump.
The President caused a flurry of surprise at MetLife Stadium, turning the trophy presentation into a bizarre political sideshow, right after some post-match scuffles. With added guards surrounding him, Trump made a striking entrance at the FIFA function without prior notice.
His unexpected showing drew jeers from the crowd as he emerged on the jumbotron, then stepped onto the stage with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. During the medal-giving process, Trump was heard praising Infantino as an "excellent guy."
While Chelsea's Reece James was about to hoist the Club World Cup trophy, Infantino tactfully attempted to coax Trump away; nevertheless, the President hung around awkwardly among the triumphant team.
Trump stayed put, stiffly amongst the jubilant footballers for photos, until finally Infantino shepherded him to a somewhat less obtrusive position, reports the Mirror US.
Nevertheless, Chelsea's day in the spotlight remained undiminished thanks to Cole Palmer's brace and João Pedro's strike ensuring their commanding victory. PSG had already been dealt a blow with Joao Neves receiving a red card, leaving them a man down.
This vibrant triumph before a record-breaking attendance of over 81,000 crowned Chelsea as double Club World Cup champions since 2021 and also handed them a handsome $40 million prize.
Palmer claimed the Player of the Match accolade, while Robert Sánchez secured the Golden Glove award. The tournament's revamped format has sparked debate about the logistics for future events, particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
Trump also stole the spotlight during the event, highlighting FIFA's growing ties with American leaders. Infantino has praised Trump's administration for its support and led the launch of a new FIFA hub at Trump Tower.
This move signals FIFA's intention to strengthen its relationship with U.S. officials and establish a presence in the American sports landscape.
"FIFA [is] a global organization [and] to be global, you have to be local," Infantino stated during an appearance at Trump Tower, alongside Eric Trump.
"You have to be everywhere, so we have to be in New York - not just for the FIFA Club World Cup this year and the FIFA World Cup next year - we have to be in New York as well when it comes to where our offices are based.
"So today, we are opening an office of FIFA here in Trump Tower. Thank you, Eric [Trump], thank you to everyone. Thanks, of course, to President [Donald] Trump as well, who is a big fan of soccer, [together with] the whole family."
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