Chelsea coach Maresca says US 'is not the right place' for Club World Cup after lightning delay
Jun 29, 2025 09:41 AM IST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca criticized FIFA for holding the Club World Cup in the United States after his club's match against Benfica on Saturday was delayed for two hours due to lightning and took nearly five hours to complete. HT Image
Fans were told to vacate the seating bowl of Bank of America Stadium with four minutes left in regulation — the sixth weather delay in the first 50 games of the tournament, although it never rained at the venue. Chelsea went on to beat Benfica 4-1 in extra time.
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.'
Extreme heat has been an issue throughout the tournament, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit at some venues during daytime matches scheduled to accommodate European television audiences. Several matches have been delayed by rain.
After the lengthy delay on Saturday, Benfica made a late push and scored the equalizer on a stoppage-time penalty.
Chelsea captain Reece James said players 'had to sit and wait for a long period, and it's quite disruptive.'
With the expanded Club World Cup serving as a dry run for next year's 48-team World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA has been criticized over pitch conditions and match scheduling as well as its handling of the weather.
soccer: /hub/soccer
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Elite remains in Europe, Flamengo coach says after Bayern defeat
MIAMI, - Flamengo coach Filipe Luis said the football elite remained in Europe after the Brazilian side were beaten 4-2 in a last-16 clash against Bayern Munich at the Club World Cup on Sunday. HT Image Flamengo conceded two goals in the opening 10 minutes and although they twice reduced the arrears, Bayern were always in control as they set up a quarter-final tie with Champions League winners Paris St Germain. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT European teams were expected to dominate the expanded Club World Cup but sometimes struggled in the group phase while all Brazilian teams advanced and made an impression. Bayern, however, restored a measure of what the European football establishment would call "order" ahead of Inter Milan's clash with Brazil's Fluminense, also in the last 16. Palmeiras progressed by beating fellow Brazilian side Botafogo on Saturday. KEY QUOTES: Flamengo coach Luis Filipe: "The pressure they put on you is immense. They come at you with eight, 10 players. They deserved to win. "Our plan did work and we were able to apply pressure and create goal scoring opportunities but they were better than us, we're playing against the football elite. If Vinicius Jr had not left for Real Madrid, we would have the best player in the world. "They want to be in the elite and that's what they are, had we won today and the tournament, it would not change the reality - they're high quality teams. We have many Brazilian players in our teams but they have the best ones. They have better players, that's a fact." Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany: On whether European clubs have the edge thanks to their efficiency in the final third: "In any competition it's the quality of the players, but also the belief. I'm not sure if that's so black or white, and some of the best finishers in the world are from South America. The South American teams have football in the blood." On European teams' alleged tactical superiority: "Do you know how may great tacticians have come out of South America? Bielsa, Filipe Luis, notably." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
Dharmendra Pradhan presides over kick-off programme for distribution of footballs as part of F4S
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 29 (ANI): Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, presided over the kick-off programme on Sunday for the distribution of FIFA footballs as part of the Football for Schools (F4S) at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Fort William, Kolkata, West Bengal. The event was organised by the Ministry of Education and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). At the event, 2487 FIFA footballs were distributed to 349 schools in the Kolkata district. The programme was organised in 21 Kendriya Vidyalayas, simultaneously, covering all districts of West Bengal. In total, 88113 footballs will be distributed across the state, according to a press release from the Ministry of Education. Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region, Sukanta Majumdar; Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur; Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education (DoSEL), Sanjay Kumar; Joint Secretary, DoSEL, Archana Sharma Awasthi, officials of the Ministry, along with other distinguished dignitaries and eminent sportspersons, were also present at the event. The school's sports captains (Boys and Girls) shared their thoughts during the event. While speaking at the event, Dharmendra Pradhan shared that, as part of the initiative, footballs would be simultaneously distributed to students in 21 Kendriya Vidyalayas across the state today. He noted that over 88,000 footballs will be distributed in West Bengal alone, benefiting nearly 15 to 16 lakh children. Expressing his personal love for the sport, Pradhan emphasised that even a single football in a small school can inspire children to engage with the game and develop a genuine passion for playing. He further highlighted that approximately 10 lakh footballs will be distributed to schools across the country, aiming to boost participation in football and nurture a strong sporting culture among students. The Minister also kicked off an exhibition football match between two teams at the school. In his address, Sukanta Majumdar emphasised that NEP 2020 envisions sports and other co-curricular activities as integral components of a holistic education. He highlighted the policy's focus on flexibility and a multilingual approach, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conceptualising NEP 2020, and to Dharmendra Pradhan for providing a clear roadmap for its effective implementation. Majumdar further noted that NEP 2020 accords equal importance to academics and sports, promoting well-rounded development among students. A healthy body nurtures a healthy mind, and engaging in sports like football plays a vital role in helping children adopt and sustain a healthy lifestyle, he said. In his address, Shantanu Thakur emphasised the importance of strengthening the sporting skills of children and preparing them for international competition. He underscored the significance of initiatives like this in achieving that goal. Efforts such as these, he said, will rekindle children's love and interest in playing football and foster a deeper connection with the sport. Thakur also noted that such initiatives play a crucial role in identifying and nurturing emerging sporting talent across the country. In his address, Sanjay Kumar expressed gratitude to Dharmendra Pradhan for conceptualising this initiative. He highlighted that lakhs of footballs will be distributed to students across schools nationwide through this partnership with FIFA. He emphasised that the initiative will spark greater interest in sports among children and nurture a sporting culture at the grassroots level. He further noted that, in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, sports are recognised as an integral part of education, underscoring the value of collective participation and the pursuit of excellence. The Football for Schools (F4S) programme, spearheaded by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), aims to promote football at the grassroots level by making the sport more accessible to students within the school system. In India, the programme is implemented by the DoSEL, with support from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Under the F4S program, FIFA is contributing more than 9.6 lakh footballs for school students of India besides 129 other countries (as of January 2025). Building on the success of earlier rollouts in states like Odisha in 2024, the F4S program in West Bengal is part of a nationwide movement underscoring India's commitment to nurturing a sporting culture from the school level. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
US women beat Ireland 4-0 for the second straight match
CINCINNATI — Izzy Rodriguez scored in her first appearance for the national team and the United States shut out Ireland 4-0 on Sunday. HT Image Lynn Biyendolo, Yazmeen Ryan and Alyssa Thompson also scored for the United States, which beat Ireland by an identical score in Commerce City, Colorado, on Thursday. The United States went up early when Biyendolo took a cross from Emma Sears and calmly scored her 25th international goal in the 11th minute. Biyendolo was captain for the match. 'I say this all the time, it's such an honor to even play for the national team, be a part of camps. But to be captain, I'm going to remember this day forever,' Biyendolo said. Left back Rodriguez started in her debut and scored on a rebound goal in the 42nd minute to make it 2-0. After halftime, Sears kept the ball in play and sent it to Olivia Moultrie, who crossed to Ryan for the goal in the 66th minute. It was Ryan's first international goal. Thompson came off the bench and scored in her second straight match in the 86th minute. Rose Lavelle, who is from Cincinnati, was sent in as a substitute in the 87th minute by coach Emma Hayes after the crowd at TQL Stadium started chanting her name. Lavelle scored in Thursday's match, making her first appearance of the year for the national team after having ankle surgery. 'Emma had said she'd put me in for a little cameo at the end, so that was always the plan,' Lavelle said. 'I really appreciated that. I think it's always special coming home.' In addition to Rodriguez, Seattle Reign midfielder Sam Meza also started in her debut for the team. Hayes made 11 changes to the starting lineup from Thursday's match. Twenty-four players have made their debut for the national team in 24 games under Hayes, who has been tasked with preparing the team for qualification for the Women's World Cup. 'I think we are still pushing. We want to get a game that we score five goals. But I think that what we want right now is the ability to put anybody into the lineup, and that there's a consistency and the level doesn't drop,' Biyendolo said. The United States was without many of its Europe-based players, including Lindsay Heaps and Crystal Dunn, who Hayes was resting following the European season. Ireland was also missing a few stars, including Katie McCabe, who was given time off after the season with Arsenal, and Denise O'Sullivan, who plays for the North Carolina Courage and is injured. 'I feel like everybody is not just trusting the process, but carrying out all the things we ask them to do,' Hayes said. 'Everybody's showed themselves so, so well.' The United States next plays Canada on Wednesday at Audi Field In Washington. soccer: /hub/soccer This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
