Chelsea chaos leaves FIFA under pressure for World Cup as Arsene Wenger responds
Chelsea's Club World Cup match against Benfica was the latest to be impacted by adverse weather decisions, leaving questions for FIFA ahead of next summer's World Cup
FIFA bosses are under huge pressure to make major changes to stop next summer's World Cup turning into a farce. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca branded the weather delays in the Club World Cup 'a joke' as he claimed his team's win over Benfica being held up for nearly TWO HOURS was 'not football.'
Arsene Wenger, now FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, has admitted the delays are 'not ideal' but insisted the tournament has been a success. However, it has thrown up huge question marks and problems ahead of next year 's international tournament and the world governing body is ready to review weather protocols, kick-off times and suitability of venues in the wake of this tournament.
The Club World Cup has seen SIX GAMES delayed by the weather with three - including Chelsea - by over an hour. That has got potential to play havoc with multi-billion pound TV contracts. Strict US rules mean games are suspended by half an hour when lightning storms happen near the stadium - and the 30 minute delay is reset each time a bolt is spotted.
Chelsea's players had to be taken off the pitch, they had to keep warm in the dressing room and some even went to check on family members as the fans were also evacuated from the stands in the Bank of America Stadium. Incredibly, there was barely a drop of rain in the stadium.
Charlotte is known for extreme weather with FIFA potentially looking at how far they have to widen the perimeters and the practicality of resetting for 30 minutes every time while also taking into account safety of players. Fans are used to such delays in the US but it has been a culture shock for European teams.
Chelsea were winning 1-0 with just six minutes left on the clock, they were taken off the pitch and then Benfica grabbed a 95th minute leveller as Maresca's men nearly blew it before eventually winning 4-1 in extra time. Wenger said: 'It looks to me completely normal and accepted.
"It's not ideal, I agree with you, because you want the flow of the game from the first to the last minute but, as well, when you organise a competition you put security first.' Former Arsenal boss Wenger also insists that, despite criticism and some empty stadiums, the tournament is proving to be a success and is definitely here to stay.
Wenger said: 'The competition is much tighter than expected. We wanted to create this Club World Cup to give the big clubs from all over the world the opportunity to come here. It looks like it's the start of something that will never stop again.
'Our hope is that the teams that competed here go home and say, 'Next time, we know what we have to do to come back stronger' and that in their countries this also helps to develop the game.'
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