Enzo Fernandez has told FIFA they need to alter their kick-off times for next summer’s World Cup in the United States, with the Argentinian insisting this Club World Cup has been ‘very dangerous’ for everyone involved due to the baking temperatures.
The Chelsea midfielder went in two-footed on the heat and humidity with this Sunday’s final versus Paris Saint-Germain to start at 3pm locally at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Fernandez even revealed how he was overcome by dizziness in their semi-final win over Fluminense, which carried the same kick-off time at the same venue.
Next summer’s World Cup final will also be held at the MetLife. While FIFA have not confirmed what time that will kick off, it is believed they are leaning towards 3pm.
Speaking before a morning training session held at the New York Red Bulls’ Sports Illustrated Stadium on Friday, Fernandez said: ‘Thanks for asking this question, because the truth is the heat is incredible. The other day I got a little dizzy in the game. I had to throw myself to the ground because I was really dizzy.
‘The truth is, playing in that temperature is very dangerous. It’s very dangerous and, obviously, for the spectacle, for the people who come to enjoy the stadium, and for the people who watch at home, the speed of the game isn’t the same. Everything feels very slow.
‘We hope they change the schedule next year so that it’s a spectacle and football continues to be enjoyable and attractive.’
Enzo Maresca has said the Club World Cup has been ‘very dangerous’ out in the United States
Players have had to deal with sweltering temperatures with the final to kick off at 3pm locally
Next summer’s World Cup will be part-played in the United States with the final set for the same venue as the Club World Cup
Fernandez added that ‘everything feels slow’ with players adapting to the hot conditions
Levi Colwill was also asked about the conditions in the US and said: ‘If you turn the game into a basketball match in this heat, it’s not going to help anyone. You have to control the ball way more, pick the right times to attack and try to score.’
There was an attempt at asking Fernandez about last summer, when he was accused of singing a racist song after Argentina’s Copa America triumph over Colombia, but he either did not understand the question or declined to give an answer.
