Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca blasts 'joke' Club World Cup delay as match halted for two hours

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has slammed their latest Club World Cup fixture as a 'joke' following an almost TWO-hour delay due to inclement weather. The exasperated Blues' boss could hardly contain his frustration after lightning storms led to his squad being removed from the pitch for one hour and 53 minutes.

Maresca also claimed that the United States might be unsuitable as hosts for such tournaments, citing this as Chelsea's SIXTH interruption due to weather at the event, with concerns about its impact on next year's World Cup schedule. Despite the setbacks, Chelsea managed to clinch victory over a 10-man Benfica with a 4-1 win after extra time - a match that ended up taking four hours and 38 minutes from start to finish.

US safety regulations require a 30-minute game delay every time lightning is spotted within a five-mile radius, which inevitably adds to the overall time of matches.

Flabbergasted by the recurring interruptions, Maresca stated: "It's a joke. That's why I said it. if they're already suspended six games, probably there is something that is not working. I'm not here to decide the rule. I'm no one to decide the rule. I'm the last one. I'm talking as a manager. As a manager, it's difficult to manage two hours suspended."

Chelsea now advance to the quarter-finals against Palmeiras, potentially setting the stage for a semi-final clash with Manchester City should both teams succeed.

Maresca has voiced his concerns over the challenges faced by teams during matches, particularly when external factors disrupt the players' focus and preparation.

"There is some problem for me personally. But I'm not talking - I'm talking as a manager. Because when you are two hours inside and you try to keep them in the game, but for two hours, they are speaking with the family outside for safety reasons.

"They are eating something, they are playing, they are laughing. How can you keep them two hours inside, focused? Then we are happy. We are happy to be here. We are happy to be in this competition. But it's something that it's not normal for."

The coach also criticised the decision to host games in certain American cities due to adverse weather conditions at this time of year. Chelsea were leading 1-0 when their match was halted at the 84-minute mark, only for Benfica to equalise with a last-minute penalty.

Following an extra-time red card for Gianluca Prestianni, Maresca's squad took control and dominated the game.

He added: "I think it's a joke to be honest, it's not football. It's not for us. You cannot be inside. It's completely something you know, but I struggle to understand. I can understand that for security reasons, you are to suspend the game. But if you suspend seven, eight games, that probably is not the right place to do this competition."