CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca questioned the selection of the USA as host of the Membership World Cup and branded the two-hour climate delay in his workforce’s round-of-16 win over Benfica as “a joke.”
The Blues arrange a quarterfinal tie towards Palmeiras with a 4-1 victory after further time in Charlotte, in a sport that featured the second-longest stoppage because of climate within the competitors.
Chelsea have been main 1-0 via Reece James’ Sixty fourth-minute free kick earlier than Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic stopped the match because of lightning within the space with 4 minutes remaining.
After the resumption — by which era most of the 25,929 crowd had left — Benfica have been awarded a stoppage-time penalty for handball by Malo Gusto. Ángel Di María equalised from the spot to drive an extra half-hour.
Following Benfica winger’s Gianluca Prestianni’s 92nd-minute purple card, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all struck in further time however Maresca was left seething concerning the logistical challenges.
Saturday’s sport was the sixth Membership World Cup match to endure a climate delay.
“We did not concede nothing, we created probabilities sufficient to win the sport,” Maresca advised reporters.
“After which after the break, the sport modified fully. I feel for me personally it is not soccer. It is already seven, eight, 9 video games that they suspended. I feel it is a joke to be trustworthy, it is not soccer. It is not for us. You can’t be inside [for so long].
“It is fully one thing new however I wrestle to grasp. I can perceive that for safety causes, you must droop the sport. However when you droop seven, eight video games, that signifies that most likely just isn’t the suitable place to do that competitors.”
Pushed on whether or not the stoppages have been damaging for the competitors, Maresca continued: “Please, do not misunderstand me. I stated it is a incredible competitors. It is a Membership World Cup. It is prime. We’re glad to be within the final eight. We’re glad to win all these form of issues.
“However one thing occurs, six, seven video games suspended, most likely the one[s] that they determine, they want a motive, as a result of it is not regular to droop a sport. In a World Cup, what number of video games are suspended? Zero, most likely. In Europe, what number of video games? Zero.
“We’re right here, two weeks, they’re already suspended six, seven video games. There’s some downside for me personally.
“However I am speaking as a supervisor. As a result of if you end up two hours inside, you attempt to hold them within the sport, however for 2 hours, they’re talking with the household outdoors for security causes. They’re consuming one thing, they’re taking part in, they’re laughing. How are you going to hold them two hours inside, centered? It is a joke.
“That is why I stated it. Then we’re glad. We’re glad to be right here. We’re glad to be on this competitors. But it surely’s one thing that’s not regular.”